Kosovo's marijuana consumption increases

From possessed data, the number of drug users differs depending on the type.

Thus, Kosovo Police have ascertained as they add that the number of heroin consumers has dropped sharply, while the number of people who consume marijuana has increased.

According to cases recorded in the police, the age most frequents drugs is 21 to 35 years.

Thus, in terms of criminal acts of possession, distribution or unauthorized selling of narcotics, a total of 1,000 and 392 persons have been arrested since January-August of this year.

Out of a thousand and 487 people suspected in connection with this criminal offence, 57 are women.

During the same period, over 536 pounds [536 kg] of marijuana has been confiscated, which represents a decrease in quantity for about 43 kilograms [43 kg] confiscated during the same period last year.

Kosovo police are engaged in both the prevention field and the operational-ethimore field of this phenomenon.

In the area of prevention it drafted the Operational Order “Stop the drugs in schools” with which ongoing activities have been carried out to prevent and combat the drug phenomenon in schools and around them, contact with parents, meetings with security teams, youth forums, operating plans at border points, and other activities in co-operation with government relevant organisations and NGOs. These activities have shown positive results in prevention and precision.

Cultivation is not very pronounced in Kosovo.

The planting is done mainly by users for small uses, with a case in which it has attempted to grow in large quantities but there are also places where cannabis grows naturally ( feral plants), places that police have identified, and plants have been destroyed in the early stage.

Police have previously implemented helicopter patrols in co-operation with KFOR and EULEX, control of suspected locations, and exchange of information in close co-operation with citizens.

Of the drugs that enter from other countries, on the basis of statistics about 10% is destined for domestic consumption, while about 90% for the external market.

We stress that at the recent meeting of the Government of Kosovo, Prime Minister Haradinaj has called for concrete measures by Interior Minister Ekrem Mustafa, drafting operational plans for preventing drug distribution in schools.

Under this plan, meetings of ministry officials are presented with police commanders.

Regarding the results of this operation, Interior Minister to Report to Kosovo Government./Lajmi.net/