Since 2004 a total of 110 deaths have been recorded in Cyprus by the National Centre for Documentation and Information on Drug Use, Justice Minister Loukas Louka says in a message, marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed on International daySunday, 26 June.

The Justice Minister underlines that drugs are regarded as one of the most serious global challenges of our time, adding that in recent years several surveys have been conducted demonstrating an upward trend in illicit drug use.

“Our aim is also the suppression of criminal activity related to drugs by strengthening international cooperation to combat smuggling, trafficking and supply of drugs internationally” the Minister points out.

In an announcement to mark the International Day against Drugs, the Information Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Treatment (KENTHEA) notes that for the past three years the new psychoactive substances identified by Europol penetrating the European market, nearly double every year.