Rising synthetic drug use among students in Tashkent sparks concern

During an international event held on November 15 to address drug abuse and narcotic crimes, Tashkent Deputy Mayor Durdona Rahimova highlighted the alarming increase in drug consumption among students. "Unfortunately, we are seeing cases of schoolchildren using psychotropic substances. This is a social issue that we cannot ignore. We must confront it directly," Rahimova stated.

According to the city's official statistics, Tashkent has 473,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 30, with 6,000 of them categorized as at high risk due to their involvement with narcotic substances. Of these, 373 individuals are chronic drug users, regularly consuming psychoactive substances.

Rahimova emphasized that preventive measures are being taken to address the issue. "We are conducting various raids in schools and working with high school students, particularly those in grades 10 and 11, as well as their parents. Preventive programs are also being carried out in collaboration with higher education institutions to identify similar cases among students," she explained.

In addition to school-based initiatives, Tashkent authorities are also focusing on students living in dormitories, tightening control over their curfew times and ensuring they attend classes regularly. These measures aim to reduce the likelihood of students engaging in drug use during the evening hours.

The issue of drug abuse among youth in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan, has become a major concern. Ravshan Mamatov, head of the National Drug Control Center, previously pointed out that the phenomenon of "pharmacy drug addiction" is spreading alarmingly in the region.