Conference on Enhancement of Mechanisms to Cope with Increasing Spread of Illicit Drugs amongst Young People

Drug trafficking is a growing transnational criminal threat, while children and youth, representing potential long-term customers, get specifically targeted by criminal groups.

In response to the threat of drug sales to children and youth the participating States adopted in 2012 the OSCE Concept for Combating the Threat of Illicit Drugs and the Diversion of Chemical Precursors (PC.DEC/1048). The concept highlights the “priority to preventive action against drug-related crimes, as well as preventive measures aimed at reducing drug abuse and dependence, and drug-related harm to health and society, especially to children and young people”.

The objective of the conference is to provide a platform for relevant experts from the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation to discuss co-operation of non-law enforcement and civil society organizations with law enforcement agencies in their activities to break the link between drugs and youth. The meeting will also discuss the development of effective mechanisms to reduce drug demand and drug supply among youth and to strengthen international law enforcement co-operation on drug-related cases affecting youth. Besides, it is expected that the event will contribute to the overall process of the preparation for the special session of the UN General Assembly on the world drug problem in 2016.

Relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations, along with representatives from youth initiatives and civil society organizations will be invited to express their ideas on needs, problems and challenges regarding the linkage “Drugs – Youth”. The conference is expected to increase the co-operation between the OSCE and other stakeholders, to avoid overlaps in activities, to streamline actions regarding the established policies and measures and to enhance information-sharing among law enforcement agencies in the OSCE area.

This event is also available on the OSCE's POLIS website. POLIS is an on-line resource centre for police and law enforcement officers, policy analysts, policy makers, evaluation experts, and donors in the field of policing and rule of law.