The II Regional Youth Forum on Combating Drug Addiction Held in Sumgayit

On March 16, 2026, the II Regional Youth Forum on Combating Drug Addiction was held at the Mugham Center in the city of Sumgayit. The event was jointly organized by the Medical Service Department of the State Customs Committee and the Executive Authority of Sumgayit city.
The forum brought together students and faculty members of Sumgayit State University, Sumgayit Medical College named after A. Aliyev, as well as pupils, students, and educators from educational institutions under the Absheron-Khizi Regional Education Department. Representatives of customs authorities, healthcare institutions, and law enforcement agencies also participated in the event.
During the official opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by the Deputy Head of the Executive Authority of Sumgayit, Teymur Samedov; Chairperson of the Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hijran Huseynova; Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Guloglan Muradli; Head of the Medical Service Department of the State Customs Committee, Jeyhun Mammadov; and Head of the Scientific-Practical and Training Center of the Medical Service Department and Deputy Chair of the Health Committee of the Milli Majlis, Rashad Mahmudov.
In his speech, Guloglan Muradli emphasized that combating the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs should not be limited to administrative measures and the activities of law enforcement agencies alone. According to him, achieving effective results in this field requires a comprehensive approach involving all segments of society. In this regard, special importance is attached to the State Program on Combating the Illegal Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors and Drug Addiction for 2025–2030, approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, which places significant emphasis on awareness-raising and preventive measures.
Muradli also noted that since 1996, the fight against narcotic drugs has been recognized as a nationwide priority. Active involvement of government institutions, non-governmental organizations, religious communities, and educational institutions plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy future for society.
Speaking at the event, Jeyhun Mammadov highlighted that the illegal trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substances remains one of the most serious social challenges facing humanity today. He stressed that this issue poses a significant threat to public health, the institution of family, moral values, and national security. Therefore, combating drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking is one of the priority directions of state policy in Azerbaijan. The foundation of this policy was laid by the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, and is currently being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev in line with modern challenges. Concluding his speech, Jeyhun Mammadov wished success to the forum and called on participants to further strengthen joint efforts for the future of youth.
The forum continued under the moderation of Rashad Mahmudov and Deputy Head of the Central Customs Hospital, Nabil Seyidov.
Within the framework of the event, the following presentations were delivered: Deputy Head of the Medical Service Department, Associate Professor Ismayil Efendiyev – “Abuse of New Types of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances: A Contemporary Challenge and Threat to Global Security”; Senior Investigator of the Main Operational-Investigative Department of the State Customs Committee, Yusif Bagirov – “The Role of Customs Control in Combating Drug Addiction: Preventive and Supervisory Functions”; Head of the Department for Organizing Preventive Work with Minors of the Sumgayit City Police Department, Azer Bagirov – “The Role of Police Authorities in Detecting Drug-Related Crimes: Legal and Practical Stages of Criminal Prosecution and Punishment”; Deputy Head of the Absheron-Khizi Regional Education Department, Aydin Rahimov – “Protecting Youth from Drug Addiction through Education: Preventive and Institutional Mechanisms”; Specialist of the Scientific-Practical and Training Center, Shahla Mirzazade – “Mobilizing Society: Combating Drug Addiction through Public Engagement and Volunteerism Mechanisms”.
During the forum, speakers also answered questions from students and young participants.
The main objective of the forum was to raise public awareness about the threats posed by new types of narcotic and psychotropic substances, strengthen institutional and legal mechanisms for drug prevention—especially among youth—clarify the roles of law enforcement, customs, and healthcare authorities in combating drug addiction, as well as to expand cooperation between state institutions and society and enhance the effectiveness of preventive measures.