The fight against illegal drug trafficking is and will remain one of the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Interior, said Toskovski

The fight with the illegal drug trafficking is and will remain one of the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Interior. Not only because of its consequences on young and social health, but also because of the fact that this phenomenon is a key source of power and resources for organized criminal groups. This struggle must be shared, inclusive and strategically targeted.

This is the message from Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, who today addressed the 16th session of the Working Group 4 of the National Convention on the European Union in Macedonia, a platform, as he emphasized, which over the years has established itself as a serious and credible space for dialogue, analysis and recommendations in the European integration process.

The topic of today’s session « The Challenges and Perspectives in National Drug Policy and Psychoactive Substances: Aligning Macedonian Standards with European Standards » – said Toskovski is a topic that concerns every segment of our society. That, he said, is not just a security or legal issue, it is a health, social and civilization issue that opens the dilemma between repression and rehabilitation, between control and support, between punishment and the chance of a new beginning.

The Ministry of Interior, as an institution of the first combat line in preventing illegal drug trafficking, said Minister Toskovski, is a daily witness to the transformations and challenges of this phenomenon, the growth of synthetic substances and their availability, to the connection with organized crime and transnational networks.

– But that is why it is important to point out that the fight against drugs is not only with arrests and seizures. It is also conducted with data, with scientifically established policies, with prevention in schools, with treatment and social support programs, with mutual trust between institutions, and with constant communication with citizens and community – the Minister of Interior was decisive.

Before the present national experts, representatives of the academic community and civil society organizations, as well as Slovak criminology experts, Toskovski emphasized that participants listen to this forum, exchanging experiences, and most importantly, as he said, it is to build policies that are based on European standards,

He particularly welcomed the involvement of the academic community, civil society organizations and international partners, without which, no strategy can be neither sustainable nor efficient.

« As a minister of interior, I remain dedicated to the vision of modern, responsible and partnership oriented police, who knows that true security is not only built by force, but with understanding and systemic approach, » Minister Toskovski said and expressed hope that this session would result in concrete, applicable and strategic and strategic recommendations.

Otherwise, the host of today’s Session of Working Group 4 – Justice, Freedom and Security (Chapter 24) organized by the European Movement, is the National Convention on the European Union in Macedonia. Dialogue focuses on key challenges and opportunities in the process of harmonizing Macedonian legislation with European standards in the field of drug policies and psychoactive substances. The debate is also expected to raise questions about the mechanisms of monitoring and dealing with drug -related criminal activities as part of the broader efforts to combat organized crime, which is deeply infiltrated in this area and has significant social consequences.

The forum is expected to adopt more work recommendations, including: strengthening institutional readiness and the role of the National Drugs Commission in changes in the legal status of cannabis, strengthened oversight of cannabis marketing and exports produced by licensed companies, preparing institutions to conduct in -depth. The Target Strategy for Prevention of Heroin Trade in exchange for cannabis.

The recommendations also require strengthening of the institutional response to an increased threat of illicit production and trade in synthetic drugs, strengthening regional and international co -operation to tackle organized drug crime, in accordance with EU practices and security policies, as well as establishing a systemic evaluation as a basis for effective drug use and drug policy.