Toshkovski and Klekovski discuss changing the approach to drugs and addiction with UNODC

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health are considering a new approach to combating the illegal trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances. This possibility was discussed today at the Ministry of Internal Affairs during a meeting between Minister of Internal Affairs Panče Toshkovski, Minister of Health Sasho Klekovski and Uktam Nasirov, head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Skopje.

The meeting was held at Minister Toshkovski’s initiative and focused on ways to improve the handling of drug-related cases, as well as strengthening coordination between institutions.

The talks also addressed improvements to the legal framework, taking into account practices in other European countries. One of the options discussed was for the legal and criminal treatment of cases to be determined according to the type and quantity of drugs seized, as well as the specific circumstances of each case.

Such an approach would avoid automatically treating all cases in the same way by distinguishing between them based on the level of risk and their particular characteristics.

The ministers stressed that tackling drugs cannot be limited solely to police operations and criminal prosecution. According to them, this effort must also include prevention, public awareness, healthcare and support for people suffering from addiction.

In this context, they highlighted the need for closer cooperation with judicial authorities and greater involvement by healthcare institutions in treating people with drug addiction.

The parties also discussed making use of UNODC’s expertise and experience through professional and public debates, campaigns to raise awareness of the consequences of drug use, and exchanges of experience with other countries.

Support for the National Observatory on Drugs and Addictions was also on the agenda, along with intensifying cooperation with the European Union Drugs Agency.

Uktam Nasirov, UNODC’s representative in Skopje, welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to continue cooperation, share expertise and examine best practices from the region and European countries.

In conclusion, it was assessed that addressing the drug problem requires a combination of several measures: decisive action against criminal networks involved in trafficking, prevention, and appropriate healthcare interventions for people with addiction problems.

At present, the matter remains under discussion, with options for changing the approach being assessed. Any details concerning possible legal amendments will be determined at a later institutional stage.