The Office for Combating Drugs of the Government of the Republic of Serbia held a conference on June 26, 2024, at the Palace of Serbia to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Each year, with the support of international organizations, government bodies, civil society organizations, and various organizations worldwide, this global commemoration aims to raise awareness of the significant problem drugs pose in society. This year’s theme is: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”

Mr. Milan Pekić, Director of the Office for Combating Drugs, opened the conference and welcomed the attendees. Among other points, Mr. Pekić emphasized that, to educate about the harmfulness of psychoactive substance abuse, its impact on daily life, and where to seek help, the Office, in cooperation with its partners, has undertaken a series of activities aimed at prevention and bringing this issue closer to a broader audience in our society. Considering that the drug problem is comprehensive, encompassing prevention and raising individual and societal awareness about the daily personal challenges faced by recovering individuals, and aiming to foster positive values in society, the concept of recovery has been incorporated into public policy documents currently in the final stages of adoption at the initiative of the Office for Combating Drugs. Following the Director, Dr. David Patton, Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Derby, addressed the attendees via an online platform, supporting the conference and highlighting the importance of collaboration with the Office.

Other speakers included Ms. Žana Glavendekić, Mr. Siniša Durkulić from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Ms. Tijana Kuzelić from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prof. Dr. Jasmina Jović-Stošić (VMA – National Poison Control Center), Ms. Dajna Marinković (Youth Work Center from Novi Sad), and Ms. Irena Molnar (NGO ReGeneration). The speakers discussed various current topics in the field of drug control, such as the impact of the global humanitarian crisis on the drug market and seizure trends in Serbia, as well as the implementation of preventive programs in these circumstances.

Regarding current drug trends, UNODC research indicates that nearly 228 million people used cannabis in 2022. This also points to the fact that the number of cannabis users has increased by 20% over the past decade. Research estimates that about 23.5 million people used cocaine in 2022. The number of people using cocaine has increased by 22% in the past decade. Even when accounting for the global population increase, these figures are alarming. Regarding amphetamines, research indicates that more than 30 million people used these substances in 2022.

A significant increase has been observed in the production of methamphetamine in the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia, and the international community believes this type of trade could completely transform global drug use patterns. As of 2022, Afghanistan banned the production and distribution of opium, reducing opium trade by up to 95 percent. On the other hand, production in Myanmar increased by 36 percent, leading to a 74 percent decrease in global opium production in 2023.