Health Minister Koçiu said that she and the EMCDDA Director discussed areas of cooperation and the steps Albania needs to take in the framework of drug addiction recovery programs, the intervention programs to effectively reduce illicit drug use, its negative consequences and cut number of drug addicts in Albania.

“We also specifically focused on the challenges of their rehabilitation and inclusion in the drug use reduction programs,” Koçiu said.

Health Minister affirmed commitment of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to accelerating steps towards aligning the national legislation with the EU acquis and establishment of an early prevention system as part of the European network.

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During the meeting in Tirana, Interior Minister and EMCDDA Director discussed the importance of improving legal framework to combat drug trafficking and enhance cooperation on joint projects.

“EMCDDA is supporting Albania to establish the National Drug Observatory and the Early Warning System,” the Minister of Interior Balla said after the meeting.

A nationwide crackdown on drug dealers who distribute narcotics near schools and communities has led to the arrest of 1242 suspects and sequestration of considerable quantities of narcotics.

The State Police also continues a nationwide operation against cannabis cultivation and more than 42,000 cannabis plants have been seized in May alone.

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