President Stevandic attended the expert meeting “Fight against drug abuse in the Republic of Srpska”

The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Dr. Nenad Stevandić, attended today in Banja Luka the expert meeting "The fight against drug abuse in the Republic of Srpska", organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Srpska and the Commission for Suppression of Drug Abuse in Srpska. On that occasion, he said that the problem of drug abuse needs to be exposed because its real proportions can only be known through the supervision of those processes. He emphasized the importance of good prevention.

"We are in a time of ``now or never'' to end it, to save our children, and not to endanger the current position, which is relatively good, in the future. That is why work, profession, quality, education are necessary," he said. Stevandić told journalists before the start of the expert meeting that he opened.

The President of the Commission for Suppression of Drug Abuse in the Republic of Srpska, Vesna Vipotnik, said that the round table gathered 200 health workers who will discuss the topic of the fight against drug abuse in Srpska.

"When it comes to drug abuse, Republika Srpska has a better average compared to European countries that have growth trends," Vipotnik pointed out.

She stated that 644 addicts were registered in the Republic of Srpska last year.

"Men are in the lead, women in a smaller percentage. It is important to note that minors and younger people are represented to a minimal extent," said Vipotnik.

The president of the Pharmaceutical Society of the Republic of Srpska, Nataša Milanović, pointed out that masters of pharmacy, family medicine doctors, and dentists, who participate in the expert meeting, are in the front lines of primary health care in Srpska.

"In our daily work, we encounter both narcotics that have their own purpose, as well as abuse," said Milanović.