OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe concludes the "Youth Against Drugs" antidrug awareness campaign across Tajikistan

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) has successfully completed the "Youth Against Drugs" antidrug awareness campaign in Tajikistan in collaboration with the Drug Control Agency (DCA) under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. The campaign included sports competitions and award ceremonies held across various regions of Tajikistan from 5 to 26 June 2024.

The campaign aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle, prevent and reduce drug addiction, and contribute to the implementation of the "National Drug Control Strategy in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021-2030."

Over 5,000 participants, including winners, competition participants, and organizers from Khorog, Kulyab, Bokhtar, Tursunzade, Khujand, and Dushanbe, were covered by this campaign. The POiD provided support by supplying sports equipment, souvenirs, prizes, printing materials, and banners to the DCA.

Dilshod Barotiyon, Head of the Unit for Prevention and Control of Illicit Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Precursors Trafficking of the DCA, emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of drug addiction in society and working closely with relevant structures to reduce the level of drug addiction and protect civil society from the threat of drug addiction and drug trafficking.

The expected outcomes of the campaign were to educate the public, especially the youth, about the dangers and consequences of drug use, encourage individuals to avoid or reduce drug use through awareness and education and mobilize community members, organizations, and stakeholders to support anti-drug initiatives.