On July 11, 2023, with the participation of Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the State Commission for Combating Drug Addiction and Illegal Trafficking of Narcotics, in order to discuss the measures implemented by mass media within the framework of the fight against illegal drug trafficking and drug addiction.
At the event, the results of the work carried out by the mass media in the fight against the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors and the fight against drug addiction and the tasks ahead were discussed at the event.
At the meeting, Chairman of the State Commission for Combating Drug Addiction and Illegal Trafficking of Narcotics, Ali Ahmadov noted that the fight against drug addiction and illegal trafficking of drugs is one of the priority tasks in our country. Law enforcement agencies strengthened the fight against illegal drug trafficking, during the 6 months of the current year, 5,881 criminal cases related to the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors were detected, and more than 4 tons 623 kilograms of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were confiscated from illegal trafficking. Compared to the same period last year, the number of crimes increased by 103 facts, and the amount of confiscated drugs and psychotropic substances increased by 1 ton, 204 kg.
It was noted that in the fight against drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking, along with administrative measures, the strengthening of public support and the expansion of educational activities play an important role, and in this sense, there is a great need for the mass media to be closely involved in the said fight.
At the event, the Chairman of the Audiovisual Council, Ismet Sattarov, reported on the results of the monitoring conducted by the mass media within the framework of the fight against illegal drug trafficking and drug addiction during January-June of the current year, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint Stock Company Rovshan Mammadov, Azerbaijan Chairman of the Board of the State Information Agency Vugar Aliyev, Member of the Milli Majlis, editor-in-chief of Azerbaijan newspaper Bakhtiyar Sadigov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency Ahmed Ismayilov, General Director of Public Television Balakishi Gasimov, General Director of "Khazar TV LLC" Murad Dadashov, Azer Khalilov, head of "Azad Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Company", taking into account the mentioned recommendations, spoke about the importance of wider coverage of the harm of drug addiction to society and human health by the mass media.
As a conclusion of the meeting, relevant recommendations and decisions were made about creating effective new social media and wide coverage in the mass media, extensive use of the possibilities of online media and social networks in conducting anti-narcotics propaganda, continuation of the organization of special programs expressing the risk factors of the use of psychoactive substances, the harmful effects on human health and the essence of the problem and also related to further strengthening of cooperation between relevant state institutions and mass media.
