Armenia`s government to approve new drug control strategy - minister 

ArmInfo. In the near future, the Armenian government will approve a new strategy to combat illegal drug and psychotropic substance trafficking. This was announced on April 16 in the National Assembly by the RA Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan.

She recalled that several weeks ago the document was discussed at a  meeting chaired by the RA Prime Minister. The document provides for  the organization of explanatory work on the dangers of drugs in the  country's schools, since it is very important to keep minors from  getting involved in this criminal sphere, which, in turn, should lead  to positive results in the future.

The minister does not agree with the initiative of a number of  parliamentarians to apply mandatory testing for drug or psychotropic  substance use to schoolchildren. "Such an initiative could mean that  all schoolchildren without exception are involved in illegal drug  trafficking, which is clearly not the case," the minister said,  adding that on average, 10 minors are involved in various criminal  cases related to illegal drug trafficking and psychotropic substances  per year. Sargsyan noted that she is in favor of using a voluntary  testing system for schoolchildren using a common database, on which  parents can make relevant appeals.