Drugs abuse killed 154 people in Cyprus in 10 years

Drugs abuse killed 154 people in Cyprus between 2004 and 2014, Justice and Public Order Minister Ionas Nicolaou said in a message on the occasion of the International Day Against Drugs.
The Minister called for joint action to address the problem noting that unfortunately the use of drugs continues to rise, destroying the lives of mostly young people.
The government, he said, follows a comprehensive and consistent policy to tackle this problem through prevention programmes, treatment and the social reintegration of users.
Particular emphasis, he added, is given on the arrest of drug dealers, with the police anti-drugs unit YKAN reporting major drug hauls in recent weeks.
The Minister noted that the Cypriot Police have achieved a lot in the field of law enforcement and combating illegal drug trade, stressing that the efforts will continue.
“We will continue struggling against any crime related to drugs and our aim is to enhance international cooperation”, he concluded.