Events organized by competent authorities of CARICC participating countries on 26 June – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

A press conference and a ceremony were held to eradicate narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, potent pharmaceuticals and precursors seized by law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the initiative of the Drug and Firearms Control Agency under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with authorized state agencies, civil society organizations and regional commissions on 26 June 2026 in Tashkent.

The event was attended by members of the State and regional commissions for combating narcotics and psychotropic substances, approximately 200 heads of designated government agencies and civil society organizations, representatives of local authorities, specialists, and experts, approximately 100 representatives of international organizations and partner agencies, about 100 representatives of the diplomatic corps and consular offices accredited in the republic as well as media representatives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony were officials from the Drug and Firearms Control Agency under the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the European Union Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP-8).

According to experts, the growing problem of drug abuse and its penetration into various segments of society, including young people and women, shows that countering this phenomenon requires efforts not only from law enforcement agencies but also from society as a whole: families, educational institutions, media and civil society organizations.

To this end, a group of government officials and members of the public who made significant contributions to tackling drug addiction and drug crime were awarded the “For Dedication to Combating Drugs” badges, while activists who had participated in anti-drug awareness campaigns throughout the year were awarded the “Outstanding Awareness Campaigner” award and commemorative gifts.

The meeting featured an online broadcast of the ceremony to dispose of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, potent pharmaceuticals and precursors that had been confiscated by law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Uzbekistan over the past year.

According to data from law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2 tons 963.61 kg of narcotics were destroyed by incineration this year, including 1 ton 348.79 kg of marijuana, 649. 64 kg of hashish, 101.43 kg and 424.35 kg of opium, 78.37 kg of heroin, 225.88 kg of synthetic drugs (methamphetamine, MDMA, mephedrone, α-PVP, LSD, “spice,” etc.), 83.98 g of cocaine, 197.51 g of hashish oil, 0.04 g of psychotropic substances, 71.08 kg of potent substances and 54 kg of precursors, including 152.5 g of potassium permanganate and 53.88 kg of hydrochloric acid.

This ceremony marked yet another important symbolic step clearly demonstrating a firm determination and decisive commitment to combating drug addiction.