A professional conference was held in Nicosia, Cyprus, titled “Illegal Stimulant Substances – Persistent and Emerging Trends”. The event aimed to address substance dependence and its associated treatment, as well as discuss prevention strategies and combat trafficking. Prominent figures in attendance included the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Anna Koukkides-Prokopiou, and the Chief of Police, Stelios Papatheodorou, who emphasized the need for a coordinated plan of action and policy changes to aid the reintegration of substance-dependent individuals into society. Educational presentations were delivered by leaders in the field, and the conference concluded with a discussion session.
What was the purpose of the “Illegal Stimulant Substances – Persistent and Emerging Trends” conference held in Nicosia, Cyprus?
The “Illegal Stimulant Substances – Persistent and Emerging Trends” conference was held to counteract the drug epidemic and address the issues of substance dependence and its associated treatment. Organized by the Cyprus Police and Drug Enforcement Unit, the event brought together experts and policy-makers, including the Minister of Justice and Public Order, and the Chief of Police, to discuss prevention strategies, combat trafficking, and discuss policy changes to aid the reintegration of substance-dependent individuals into society.
A professional conference, titled “Illegal Stimulant Substances – Persistent and Emerging Trends”, was held in Nicosia, Cyprus, on October 27th. This impactful conference was strategically aimed at specialists in the realm of substance addiction treatment.
Organizers and Motivation
The Cyprus Police, with the Drug Enforcement Unit taking the lead, were the commendable organizers of this event. Their mission behind conducting this meeting was clear: to counteract the drug epidemic while addressing the issues of substance dependence and its associated treatment.
High-profile Attendees
The event saw participation from prominent figures such as the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Anna Koukkides-Prokopiou, and the Chief of Police, Stelios Papatheodorou. They both had the honor of delivering the opening remarks, setting the tone for the conference.
Minister’s Address
In her address, Minister Koukkides-Prokopiou expressed her gratitude to the Drug Enforcement Unit for their dual roles in enforcement and prevention. Her appreciation also extended to the speakers for their insightful contributions and to the Cyprus Anti-Drug Authority and the University of Cyprus for supporting the event.
She stressed the universal challenge that drugs pose and the need for a coordinated plan of action from executive and legislative authorities. Her vision for this plan included strategies on prevention, treatment, and measures to combat trafficking and trade. She placed significant emphasis on the issue of stigma and social alienation faced by drug users and advocated for policy changes that could facilitate their re-integration into society.
Chief of Police’s Remarks
Stelios Papatheodorou, the Chief of Police, echoed Minister Koukkides-Prokopiou’s gratitude towards the Drug Enforcement Unit and the conference speakers. He brought to light the necessity of a balanced approach towards prevention and suppression in the sphere of drug control. He highlighted the twin objectives of serving justice to drug traffickers promptly and preventing the social alienation of substance-dependent individuals. The Chief of Police also mentioned the adoption of suitable policies for aiding the reintegration of affected individuals, particularly the youth, back into society.
Educational Presentations
The conference then progressed to a series of educational presentations. These talks were delivered by leaders in the field, namely the Executive Director of the Cyprus Anti-Drug Authority, the Police Chief Superintendent of the Drug Enforcement Unit in the Attica Security Directorate, a representative from the Greek Police, the Deputy Director of the Drug Enforcement Unit, a specialist psychiatrist from the Cyprus Ministry of Health, and a sociologist-criminologist from the Center for Addiction Treatment and the National Coordinator for Drugs in Greece.
Conference Conclusion
After the enlightening presentations, the conference concluded with a discussion session, providing attendees with a platform to share thoughts and feedback. The Director of the Drug Enforcement Unit coordinated this final segment of the conference, marking the end of a productive day dedicated to understanding and combating the menace of illegal stimulant substances.
A conference called “Illegal Stimulant Substances – Persistent and Emerging Trends” was held in Nicosia, Cyprus. The conference aimed to address substance dependence and its treatment, as well as discuss prevention strategies and combat trafficking. The Minister of Justice and Public Order and the Chief of Police were present and emphasized the need for action and policy changes to help substance-dependent individuals reintegrate into society. The conference included educational presentations and concluded with a discussion session.
