Albanian Parliament approves National Drug Strategy
Last year the Albanian Parliament approved the NATIONAL DRUGS STRATEGY 2012-2016. The mission of the strategy is to protect public safety, the life and health of individuals and communities through minimizing the risks and other damages deriving from drugs via a national coordinated action. The Albanian state recognizes and accepts the serious nature of this issue, both at the national level and at the international one.
Fight against drugs remains one of the key priorities of the Albanian state, as drugs pose a high risk to our citizens and has a potential impairing impact on Albania’s integration process in the EU.
Also, this strategy accepts the fact that the fight against drugs can be successful only in case we coordinate efforts of the government, civil society and international partners.
The total number of the adults (15-64 years of age) in Albania having tried illicit drugs in their lives is estimated to be between 40 000 and 60 000 individuals. The number of problematic drug users (addicted users and the ones having serious problems from the drug use) in the country varies from 4800 in 8600 individuals.
For the first time it is accepted that the demand reduction component has remained fragmented and covered by insufficient funding, while reduction of drug supply and the law enforcement issues are an integral part of the priorities of the Albanian government. For this reason, it is indispensable to ensure the same importance to the drug demand reduction, so as it gets the same priority as the drug supply reduction.
Another important element which is strongly highlighted in the Strategy is related to the Social re-integration of drug users in the society by:
- Encouragement of private entities and of businesses for raising social service funds for improving such services and supporting this category of people.
- Coordination and cooperation through public and non-public bodies offering social services through periodical meetings, working meetings, etc.
- Encouragement of local government structures and of municipalities, in particular, to provide financial support for this category of beneficiaries, depending on their sources.
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