Filenews 21 April 2024 - by Michalis Hadjivassilis
The finding that after the war in Ukraine and due to the political instability observed in our wider region, persons active in the field of narcotics or crime in general, have settled permanently or temporarily in Cyprus.
As the commander of the Service, Stelios Aristidou, mentions in an interview with "F", concerns are growing through the cases that have been clarified, that people left unstable areas and came to our country. At the same time, he emphasizes that a fairly large percentage of foreigners seems to be recorded, according to the latest statistical data, in the total percentage of persons involved in cases involving possession, trafficking, use of narcotic substances. Mr. Aristidou described drugs as a major threat, referring to record seizures in recent years, with use showing an increasing trend.
-What do you attribute to the gradual increase in cases and quantities of drugs detected by YKAN in recent years?
– Delinquency and the use of illegal substances are behaviours linked to social reality, stereotypes, the value system of each society as well as the relationship and function of important social institutions. Also, these phenomena reflect the crisis that exists in all fields of today's social relations, affecting especially younger ages who lose their goals and prospects, thus resorting to ephemeral outlets. It is characterized as multifactorial taking into account that the causes can be either social, economic, psychological or even cultural.
The increase in the number of cases, apart from the fact that there is an increasing trend in the phenomenon of importation, possession and trafficking of drugs worldwide, is mainly due to the best practices developed by the Anti-Narcotics Agency and the effective methods it applies. These practices arise mainly through the study of the mode of action of criminal elements, the trends and methods prevailing worldwide, the development of relations and partnerships in the field of information exchange and joint operations – actions with other relevant Services – International Organizations (EUROPOL, INTERPOL), abroad. It is also due to the proper management, evaluation and utilization of information, the cooperation of the public and finally to the conscientiousness, perseverance and professionalism of its members in the performance of their duties, which, I must admit, present the greatest degree of difficulty and risk.
Is there so much demand in Cyprus to absorb all these quantities illegally imported by smugglers?
– Cannabis, based on the latest epidemiological survey of the Cyprus Addictions Authority – Monitoring Department (EKTEPN), remains the most widespread illegal substance of use in the general population (about 18% report at least once use in their life), showing an increase over time. However, it should be emphasized that the percentage of cannabis testing in the general population (lifetime use) does not reflect the problem of use in Cyprus, since it is believed that substance abuse and specifically cannabis is at lower rates.
Four out of ten respondents said they personally know people who use it, 34% say they have friends who use it, and 73% think it's easy to find cannabis in a 24-hour period, indicating a significant increase from the previous survey.
Therefore, it appears that the demand for illegal substances in recent years in Cypriot society shows a fairly significant upward trend. Moreover, it should be reiterated that, for at least the last three years, and in particular, in 2023, drug seizures have reached record levels. Certainly, through the investigation of the criminal cases that have arisen, it emerged that a percentage of the seizures were destined for other European countries, but this does not affect us or make us complacent. The growing trend in drug seizures is of great concern to us, we are very concerned and suggests that our actions and actions should be intensified and intensified.
-What is the current state of the drugs problem and what strategy is the Agency pursuing, since, as is well known, it is not only concerned with the fight against drugs?
– The drug phenomenon is a major threat to the health and safety of society and is characterized as multidimensional, complex and dynamic, since it is constantly changing character, with new challenges. The drug market is considered one of the most dynamic of organised crime, and therefore tackling it requires a coordinated, collective and comprehensive approach based on prevention, repression, international cooperation, treatment and social reintegration of drug addicts.
The Cyprus Police implements the state's policy stemming from the National Strategy for Combating Addiction to Illicit Substances (2021-2028), which is based on the United Nations International Drug Conventions, the European Strategy and guidelines of other international organizations. It constitutes the basic policy document on dependencies and guides the actions and initiatives of the Republic of Cyprus. In the same context, the National Strategy consists of five main areas of intervention: (1) Prevention, (2) Treatment and social reintegration, (3) Harm reduction, (4) Regulation and control of supply and (5) International cooperation, and incorporates four cross-cutting tools: (1) Documentation, (2) evaluation, (3) research and (4) monitoring. The implementation of this policy requires close cooperation with the other competent services, state and non-state, as well as the participation of civil society.
The overall objective of the Police's action, in accordance with the instructions of the Chief of Police, is to tackle drugs both in the field of supply reduction at national and international level, as well as in the field of demand reduction, in accordance with the national strategy and action plans of the Cyprus Addictions Authority (AAEK).
Within the framework of its mandate, YKAN is actively active around four policy pillars: (1) Supply reduction, (2) Demand reduction, (3) International cooperation and (4) Collection, management and analysis of information on drug issues.
However, in addition to what is mentioned above, the issue of drug use is also considered a public health issue. The activities of the Service through the Office of Prevention and Social Intervention, which operates at YKAN, are original as a framework vis-à-vis other corresponding European and non-European services, addressed mainly to wider social groups and organized groups with presentations, trainings, seminars, workshops and other events.
In addition, the Social Intervention Officers of the Service provide counselling, psychological support and mobilization, with the aim of referring to therapeutic programs, to people who are either arrested by the Service and ask for help, or voluntarily seek help. Here it should be emphasized that these persons are referred to relevant programs after they have been evaluated and provided that there is their own consent. In this context, YKAN, wishing to contribute to the support of drug addicts, applies the Cooperation Protocol (which is addressed to young people aged 14-24) for the referral of young people arrested to treatment. In this way, and provided that specific criteria are met, these persons are given the incentive to join drug rehabilitation programs and consequently treatment, always with the agreement of the Attorney General, offering them the opportunity not to appear before the Courts. Therefore, the Cooperation Protocol of YKAN is the main mechanism for referring young people to treatment programs.
Clear instructions for mobilization and intensification of efforts have also been given by the Minister of Justice and Public Order regarding the fight against the phenomenon to the maximum possible extent by the Police – YKAN, taking into account the fact that the Ministry shows particular interest and sensitivity in the field of drugs.
Large percentage of foreigners involved in trafficking
– There is a general perception among citizens that the YKAN catches the so-called "small" fish and fails to catch the smugglers who hide behind steamers. What is the case?
– YKAN, acting within the framework of the law and the powers granted to it, performs a difficult task, having as a priority the identification and arrest of drug traffickers and traffickers. This is a difficult and time-consuming process and every day our members, often risking their lives, exceed themselves in their effort to meet their mission.
A lot is being done to achieve the above goal. What can be said through the data of the YKAN for 2023, is that out of the 1095 cases we dealt with, 249 were related to offenses related to import, trafficking, supply, possession for the purpose of supply, cultivation and other related offenses, involving about 300 persons, who clearly cannot be characterized as cases of users but persons whose action is assessed as very serious. This is also reflected by the very high percentage of people serving long prison sentences and dealing with drug cases in our penitentiary.
Although cannabis remains the main drug of use, it seems that users are turning to other more destructive drugs. What is the image as you live it daily through the cases that come to your attention?
– The phenomenon of illegal addictions is characterized by an intense mobility which is constantly changing and evolving. Today there are new challenges that we have to manage, which is evident from the very confiscations that have been achieved in recent years. The war in Ukraine and the political instability observed in our wider region, reinforce concerns about the temporary or permanent settlement in Cyprus of persons active in the field of drugs or crime in general.
According to the latest statistical data, a fairly large percentage of foreigners appears to be recorded in the overall percentage of persons involved in cases involving possession / trafficking / use of narcotic substances.
Mapping schools and other sites based on youth engagement
A lot of noise is made about the involvement of minors in drugs. What is the situation as experienced by the officers of the Service and how are they handled?
– Along with the operational part of repression and targeting of suppliers, which is the ultimate goal of the Service, in the field of prevention, it is attempted through the implementation of the Cooperation Protocol for the referral of young people arrested by the Cyprus Police – YKAN to Therapeutic Centers of the Cyprus Health Organization, the Directorate of Mental Health Services, and to non-state treatment Centers, The management of the phenomenon of the involvement of minors in drugs.
As in other European and non-European countries, there is an increase in the involvement of minors in both drugs and other illegal activities. Therefore, our collaborations and activities with other stakeholders are developed and improved for optimal results. The aim is not to stigmatize them as violators of the law, but as persons in need of help and treatment. In an effort to monitor the whole situation, YKAN has proceeded to map all schools and places frequented by minors based on the criminal cases that have been recorded or the information that reaches the Service. In addition, it has taken a number of other measures. In this way, effective and targeted actions are defined.
-What is the picture of the problem in schools and what is the cooperation with the Ministry of Education to address the problem?
– YKAN is particularly sensitive to the student population and the handling of juvenile offenders, bearing in mind the common goal of the two competent ministries, for a safe school environment. It safeguards all rights granted to minors deriving from International Conventions, national legislation, and police provisions and gives priority to cases involving juvenile and juvenile offenders.
The Cooperation Protocol for the prevention and handling of illegal substances of addiction at school is implemented between the Ministry of Public Administration of the Cyprus Police – Y.K.A.N., the Ministry of Environment and the Cyprus Addictions Authority, for the management of issues related to addiction substances in Secondary General Education and Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training schools. In each school unit, it has been designated as a "Contact Point – Liaison", a member of the YKAN to facilitate the coordination and effectiveness of delinquency at a preventive and deterrent level. We have also taken concrete actions which I have previously described and analysed.
-Recently, studies in wastewater in various areas of Cyprus have shown that in addition to the increased use of cannabis, amphetamine use is also increasing. Where is it attributed?
– The use of amphetamine / methamphetamine also shows an increasing trend in Cyprus, lower than most European countries in which the phenomenon of increasing trend is recorded, but nevertheless it is real and recorded. It is reflected through the research in sewage and the seizures / arrests of YKAN where in the last 3 years they amounted to about 16 kg and 896g.
As regards the justification for the upward trend, I would refer to the occasional reports from international organisations such as Europol, where amphetamine is described as the most popular stimulant drug after cocaine. The ease of production, the lower selling price, the tendency to promote new synthetic drugs, the phenomenon of migration, which results in the movement of a significant number of people of different nationalities and cultures, are some of the main important factors.
88 minors aged 14 in treatment
– It was recently said in parliament that parents do not give their consent for their children to enter a rehabilitation program. What is the reason for this?
– Without prejudice, some reasons and/or factors that may influence or exist for the non-consent of parents in order to refer minors to treatment programs, are believed to be the dysfunctional family environment observed in recent years, where one of the two parents is denied consent. The lack of a clear therapeutic request from the minor and/or student and the lack of cooperation between the minor and/or the student and the school counsellor or the social intervention officers is also an important reason. Finally, there are some cases where parents initially decide and declare their intention to communicate on their own with the therapeutic program, in an effort to avoid, as they believe, the social stigmatization of their children, since we live in a closed society, an effort which in the end they abandon due to other external factors.
– How many young people under the cooperation protocol are sent each year to treatment programs per year?
– Referrals of young offenders in accordance with the Cooperation Protocol and the handling of juvenile offenders in accordance with Law N.55(1)/21 for drug offenses by the social intervention officers of YKAN in therapeutic Centers during the years 2021 – 2023:
In 2021, 109 young people were referred according to the Cooperation Protocol, of which 21 were minors, while 50 people came from their family support environment. In 2022, according to the Cooperation Protocol, 138 young people were referred, of which 41 were minors from both target groups, 69 people from their family support environment. In 2023, according to the Cooperation Protocol, 138 young people were referred, of which 26 were minors from both target groups, 54 people from their family support environment.
Economic lung of organised crime
It is well known that drugs involve the underworld with organized crime. What exactly is happening in Cyprus through the information that YKAN has?
The drug trade is one of the most important threats of organized crime currently facing the international community and consequently Cyprus. It is the main economic lung of organised crime. Of course, this phenomenon cannot be absent in Cypriot data. Organized crime and criminal groups operate across borders, constantly developing their criminal networks by setting up hierarchical structures, using more sophisticated methods of operation, but also using new technologies, thus continuing their action in serious criminal acts.
