The drop in the average age of people using drugs from 18 to 16 is considered a concerning and critical situation that requires mobilization and action from everyone.

This was stated at the launch of the campaign “A Community Without Addiction”, organized by the Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection, the Office for Good Governance of the Prime Minister, Trust Circle Foundation, and Labyrinth organization.

The campaign began in Prishtina Square, where, through a symbolic action, an isolated person was placed on stands, representing addiction. This campaign aims to raise awareness against drug use among children and provide support for addiction victims.

Safet Blakaj, director of the Labyrinth Clinic, stated that it is concerning that the average age of users has dropped to 16, compared to 18 in 2018, and that cocaine is the most problematic drug.

“The average age has dropped to 16. We consider that it cannot go any lower. So when we say 16, this is the age when they use drugs for the first time. Of course, it should be noted that heroin use has significantly declined here in Kosovo over the past 5–6 years or more. We know that in 2009, especially in 2012, there was a similar organized effort that showed a reduction in drug use in Kosovo. Institutional and societal initiatives are needed, including organizations. Regarding drugs, cocaine is what worries us most because it is widely used. Moreover, compared to four years ago, those who presented at our center were aged 35–55, while last year this dropped to 25–35, and of course, there are also minors. This is extremely concerning,” he said.

Meanwhile, Donjeta Kelmendi, Executive Director of KOMF, said that the situation in Kosovo is not good, with about 35,000 active drug users, but hopes that this campaign will help reduce this number.

“The campaign aims to prevent the use of drugs and narcotic substances among children and youth, as well as to encourage action and mobilization of institutions to protect children and young people from drug use. We are all here today to inaugurate this installation as a symbolic gesture to convey our message about the great need to protect children and youth from drug use. The situation in Kosovo is not good regarding drug use. This campaign is launched on September 1, which is also the first day of the new school year, and this is no coincidence. The number of users has already exceeded 35,000 in Kosovo, while children and adolescents continue to become a growing part of this number every day. It is also concerning that the age of first drug use has dropped. While in 2018 the average age of starting drug use was 18, now this age has dropped to 16, and this is a worrying and critical situation that requires mobilization and action from everyone involved, including public institutions, civil society organizations, the community, and the media,” she said.

With messages such as “Drugs take everything from you” and “They need help, not judgment”, the campaign organizers emphasized the importance of creating communities focused on rehabilitation rather than judging addiction victims.

Adelina Sahiti, Director of Social Welfare in the Municipality of Prishtina, said that the municipality is very engaged in fighting drug use.

“As the capital, Prishtina has continuously supported groups representing and organizations that protect and advocate for our children and youth not to be drug users, in this case, the Labyrinth Center, whom I thank for the extraordinary work and correct cooperation we have had over the past four years. Prishtina has participated in trainings and empowerment through organizations so that our youth receive the message that drugs truly destroy families and, above all, society. As colleagues have said, we need hope, we need healthy families, and we all need to come together to convey the message that only away from drugs can we have a healthy youth and future. Then I believe we have achieved the goal for which we are called,” she said.

Krenar Dragusha, founder of Trust Circle Foundation, stated that the launch of the campaign aims to educate children as well as families about drug use.

“The experiences that children and families have from addiction and drug problems are very significant in our country, but they are also a taboo subject that is not often discussed. With this campaign, we aim to talk about this topic as much as possible, but also to educate both children and families on how to prevent addiction. Our country deserves more; we have gone through many challenges as a people and do not deserve at this time, today in 2025, to face such challenges. Therefore, we must come together as soon as possible to prevent them. Major changes do not happen on their own, they are not made by one organization alone, nor by the government alone, but they happen when the community unites. Therefore, I hope that through this campaign we will not stop working for change in our country and to bring as much hope, knowledge, art, and culture to our country, and not addiction and a dark life,” he said.

The campaign will be active for two months, during which various activities will be organized.