OSCE Mission to Skopje supports drug awareness campaign

SKOPJE, 21 February 2007 - The first of a series of workshops that aim to raise awareness among municipal and local law enforcement officials of drug abuse started in Kumanovo today.

Similar workshops will also be organized in Skopje, Tetovo, Bitola, Kavadarci and Negotino. They will contribute to the countrywide strategy to fight the illegal drug trade and drug abuse, supported by the Interior Ministry the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje.

The campaign was initiated at Citizen Advisory Groups meetings which pointed out the alarming increase of drugs addiction throughout the country.

"This drug awareness campaign will encourage communities to build internal networks to improve co-ordination in the battle against drug abuse," said Raul Correa of the OSCE Mission's Police Development Unit.

Zoran Velickovski, the Chief of Kumanovo police added: "Through this campaign, we intend to improve the communication within the community and encourage citizens and officials to support the work of law enforcement structures and initiate sustainable and practical preventive solutions."