Drug trafficking is a threat to the stability of democracies and the security of citizens

Drug trafficking is not only a serious public order problem, but also a threat to the stability of democracies and the security of citizens.

This was stated at the Second Interparliamentary Conference dedicated to the fight against organized crime in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region.

The conference, which was held in Rome the previous two days, was attended by the delegation of the Parliament of Montenegro to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, consisting of the Head of the Delegation Jelena Nedović, member Jevrosima Pejović, substitute members Momčilo Leković and Jevto Eraković, as well as MP Adrijan Vuksanović.

The Parliament of Montenegro said that the two-day event, hosted by the Italian Parliament, was organized at the initiative of the Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative for the Fight against Organized Crime, Eugenio Zofilia.

As they stated, the conference brought together parliamentarians and experts who discussed the topic of a joint fight against drug trafficking in order to protect security, health, and the rule of law.

The conference was opened by the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, while introductory speeches were given by Zofili, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Pere Pons, Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of the Interior, Nicola Molteni, and Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Roberto Montella.

"The speakers stressed the necessity of helping young people overcome drug addiction, which leads to despair and tragedy, and that trafficking in psychoactive substances is not only a serious public order problem, but also a threat to the stability of our democracies and the security of citizens," the statement said.

It is stated that the conference emphasized the unique role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in confronting threats that transcend national borders.

It was pointed out that criminal networks exploit legal loopholes and that no parliament or government can dismantle them alone, but that every state is affected and has a duty to act.

The statement states that the first session was dedicated to one of the most urgent security and public health crises in the OSCE region, the rapid spread of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

"The speakers discussed the development of threats in the OSCE region and the Italian preventive National Plan for the Prevention of the Abuse of Synthetic Opioids as a model of integrated inter-institutional management," the statement said.

Participants emphasized the importance of prevention through education and awareness-raising campaigns, as well as the urgent need to strengthen intelligence sharing, early warning mechanisms and international cooperation across the OSCE area.

The Assembly said that the discussion continued on the human dimension of the drug crisis - recovery, prevention, and the role of therapeutic communities in rebuilding lives disrupted by addiction.

"The discussion was attended by representatives of therapeutic and rehabilitation communities, the Inter-American Commission on Drug Abuse Control of the Organization of American States (CICAD), the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Persons, as well as the Heritage Foundation," the Assembly said.

The speakers emphasized that effective drug policy must place the individual at the center of concern and move from a culture of emergency response to a culture of prevention, anticipation, and long-term support.

"Discussions highlighted the growing challenges in the field of mental health and loneliness among young people, the importance of integrated support systems that combine early intervention, education, rehabilitation and social reintegration, as well as the need to strengthen communities, schools and local networks as active partners in prevention and recovery," the statement said.

In the third session, on the topic: "Fighting drugs: disrupting money flows and disrupting criminal networks", it was emphasized that the mafia survives thanks to the trade in illicit substances, and that every drug is a commodity and a source of profit for organized crime.

"Fighting drugs means fighting the mafia, and fighting the mafia means fighting drugs," the statement said.

At that session, as announced, Italy's experience and leading role in the fight against criminal organizations that seek to gain wealth and power at the expense of citizens and states were praised, and it was noted that it is necessary to understand the direction in which organized crime and drug trafficking are moving in a highly networked world of great mobility.

The Assembly said that on the last working day, an audience with Pope Leo XIV was arranged for the conference participants, which represented the first meeting of a large delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly with the Pope.

Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking requires strong international cooperation based on the rule of law, the protection of human dignity, and effective prevention strategies.

He pointed out the importance of a comprehensive approach that integrates policing, criminal justice, rehabilitation and social reintegration, while also pointing to the key role of education, family and schools in preventing drug abuse among young people.

The Pope stressed the need for societies to approach the problem of addiction through medical, psychological and social support systems and expressed gratitude for the work and sacrifices of members of the police and judicial authorities who fight organized crime.

He said he hoped the conference would bring lasting results in strengthening international cooperation against organized crime and drug trafficking, and wished the participants wisdom, courage, and peace in their future work.

The two-day event brought together more than 150 parliamentarians and experts from more than 40 OSCE participating States.