OSCE-wide conference emphasizes role of community policing as effective tool for preventing drug use among young people

VIENNA, 6 October 2020 – Community policing and a closer partnership between public authorities and youth are effective tools for creating a drug-free environment at the community level, said speakers at the OSCE-wide Conference on Combating the Threat of Illicit Drugs and the Diversion of Chemical Precursors held in Vienna and online today.

Convened by Albania’s 2020 OSCE Chairmanship in co-operation with the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, the conference gathered more than 200 experts from national drug structures, representatives of international, regional and civil society organizations, and the private sector from OSCE participating States and OSCE Partners for Co-operation. Participants at the conference exchanged best practices and lessons learned on effective drug prevention measures targeted at youth. 

Opening the conference, Inid Milo, Head of Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship Task Force, said: “Community policing is an excellent tool for implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy on the community level. Prevention doesn’t always get the right attention, because prevention requires long-term and often subtle efforts that do not immediately bring obvious or recognizable outcomes.  Nevertheless, prevention will be always less costly and in the long run more effective than combating the use of illicit drugs.”

Miwa Kato, Director of the Division for Operations at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, reiterated that community policing could play a constructive and effective prevention role by promoting a healthy and safe community environment that protects adolescents against substance use and facilitates positive attitudes toward law enforcement. She also welcomed the opportunity to strengthen co-operation between the UN and the OSCE in this important field.

Tuula Yrjölä, OSCE Officer-in-Charge/Secretary General, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, added: “The best way to fight drug abuse by young people is through prevention, where police and community policing play a pivotal role in the efforts to combat the distribution and use of drugs in local communities. The OSCE will continue providing tailored, non-duplicative assistance to strengthen operational capacities, complement global anti-drug efforts and promote national, regional and international responses.”

Participants at the conference also focused on how to inform, engage and raise awareness among youth on the impact and dangers of illicit drugs. The meeting emphasized also the importance of human rights and gender-related issues when designing and implementing drug control policies.

This event builds upon the 2012 and 2015 OSCE conferences on drugs, youth and prevention and is taking place amid growing calls from experts to promote designing and implementing effective and long-term drug policy reforms, investing equally in preventive, enforcement,  treatment and rehabilitation measures.