Skopje, 11 June 2025 (MIA) - Fight against drug trafficking is and will remain one of the Ministry of Interior's strategic priorities, not only because of its impact on the youth and societal health but also due to the fact that the phenomenon represents a key source of power and resources for organized criminal groups. This fight must be shared, inclusive and strategically focused, said Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski on Wednesday.

Minister Toshkovski addressed the National Convention on the European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia (NCEU-MK) session of Working Group 4 – Justice, Freedom and Security (Chapter 24), titled “Challenges and perspectives of the national drugs policies: aligning Macedonian legislation with European standards.”

He said that the MoI is witnessing the transformations and challenges of this phenomenon on a daily basis, from the rise of synthetic substances and their availability, up to the links with organized crime and transnational networks.

"It is important to highlight that the fight against drugs is not only arrests and seizures, but data, science-based policies, prevention in schools, programmes for treatment and social support, trust among institutions, and continued communication with citizens and the community," noted Toshkovski.

The MoI welcomed the involvement of the academia, civil society and international partners at the forum, without whom "no strategy can be sustainable or efficient."

"As MoI, I remain committed to the vision of a modern, responsible and partner-oriented police, which knows that real security cannot be built only by force but through understanding and systemic approach," said Toshkovski.

The forum is expected to adopt several recommendations, including the strengthening of institutional preparedness and the role of the National Commission on Drugs when changing the legal status of cannabis, enhanced oversight of marketing and export of cannabis produced by licensed companies, preparing law enforcement agencies in the context of increased production of medical cannabis, as well as development of a strategy for prevention of heroin trafficking.

The recommendations also urge for strengthened institutional response to the rising threat of unlawful production and distribution of synthetic drugs, enhancement of regional and international cooperation in countering organized crime with narcotics, in line with EU standards and security policies.

Photo: MIA and Panche Toshkovski Facebook