According to Beknazarov, there is an increasing number of young people involved in the illegal drug trade in the country. Many of these teenagers become criminals due to ignorance or financial difficulties, not realizing the consequences of their actions.
“Some young people think that they are not at risk because of their age and agree to participate in crimes. Ultimately, they may find themselves facing criminal liability and end up in detention centers, which ruins their futures,” he noted.
New initiative: replacing arrest with education and upbringing
Beknazarov suggested not placing minors aged 14-17, who are detained for the first time, in custody, but instead sending them to educational and upbringing programs.
He believes that it is necessary to create temporary rehabilitation centers for up to three months, where teenagers can learn the basics of lawful behavior and receive psychological support.
“We should not ruin the lives of teenagers who made a mistake out of ignorance. It is better to give them a chance to re-educate and realize their responsibility than to send them to prison,” Beknazarov added.
Cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and educational initiatives
Additionally, Beknazarov reported on the cooperation between the youth movement and the Drug Control Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan. Within the framework of this cooperation, preventive measures and informational campaigns are being conducted aimed at reducing the level of drug use and distribution among youth.
Starting in 2026, an informational campaign called “Sergak” aimed at teenagers is planned to be launched. This campaign will include the creation of videos, social clips, and online projects using modern media formats.
Beknazarov emphasized the importance of education in the fight against drug addiction among youth: “If a teenager makes a mistake for the first time, they should not be sent to prison immediately. Our task is to help them, educate them, and reintegrate them into normal life. We aim not for punishment, but for protection,” he concluded.
