In recent years, children and young people using narcotic substances have been among the most vulnerable categories. While the challenge for a community without addiction is big, it requires a comprehensive approach.
This was said at the National Conference “A Community Without Addiction”, in partnership with the Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection, Trust Circle Foundation and the organization Labyrinth, organized by the Office for Good Governance within the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said that a community without addiction is a national mission for everyone, without exception.
According to him, the fight against addiction requires an inclusive and coordinated approach.
Kurti added that the Government is committed to implementing the State Strategy Against Drugs 2024–2028 and that the police are being strengthened in the fight against the distribution of narcotic substances.
“The challenge is big, but we cannot accept that addiction becomes a bitter reality. We call for a united and unwavering front against addiction,” Kurti said.
Meanwhile, the president of the Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection – KOMF, Remzije Krasniqi, said that in recent years children and young people using narcotic substances have been among the most vulnerable categories.
She emphasized that this situation has been identified as a priority for action by the organization, but also as a call for other institutions.
According to her, the growing risk requires immediate intervention, including awareness-raising, more investments and expanding support services.
The Director of the Psychiatry Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Fatoj Kutllovci, said there is a worrying increase in the abuse of psychoactive substances in Kosovo.
He said that the most affected are young people and adolescents aged 15–25. Abuse of narcotic substances, Kutllovci added, has also been noted among children.
Among the most used substances, according to Kutllovci, are cannabis, alcohol, tranquilizers, stimulants such as cocaine and others.
The Director of Psychiatry, Faton Kutllovci, said that among the factors influencing the increase in the number of people abusing psychoactive substances are family factors such as lack of parental care, and social ones including unemployment.
Other factors, Kutllovci mentioned, are economic challenges, anxiety, depression and easy access to psychoactive substances.
Meanwhile, the director of the Labyrinth center, Safet Blakaj, said that more insistence is needed for the general prevention program to be further rationalized.
