OSCE meeting in Vilnius promotes co-operation to reduce synthetic drug supply in Baltic region

VILNIUS, 20 October, 2010 - A OSCE high-level expert workshop that began in Vilnius today focuses on how co-operation can help reduce the production and trafficking of ecstasy, amphetamines and other synthetic drugs in the Baltic region.

More than 35 senior drug enforcement officers from Baltic countries and international organization representatives are taking part in the two-day workshop, organized by the OSCE´s Strategic Police Matters Unit in co-operation with the Lithuanian Interior Ministry and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.

"By contributing to the fight against synthetic drugs, the OSCE shows its determination and commitment to tackle one of the most serious trans-national threats to security and welfare of people, specially the young generations," said Manuel Marion, the Deputy Director of the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit.

Lithuania's Interior Viceminister, Mindaugas Ladiga, said:
"The trafficking patterns for synthetic drugs change very fast. Only joint and co-ordinated actions of states can make an efficient riposte to these processes. We must work together. Thus all the opportunities for international support and co-operation, including the ones provided by meetings such as this one, should be used."

Synthetic drugs pose a particular threat to communities because they can be produced using readily available components and because they are extremely addictive and dangerous. In addition, there is a risk that the production and storage of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals contaminate the environment.

The market is lucrative: each year, more synthetic drugs are used worldwide than cocaine and heroin combined, according to data from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The illicit suppliers and traffickers adapt quickly to control measures, changing production and marketing means to avoid detection by authorities..

The meeting agenda includes discussions about the practical application of best practices in the drug enforcement field with a special attention to synthetic drugs.