Armenia has necessary laws for effective drug addiction and trafficking control, Artur Baghdasaryan, Secretary of the Armenian National Security Council, stated at the Feb. 25 meeting of the Interagency Committee for drug addiction and trafficking control.

The press service of the RA National Security Council Secretary informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that Armenia acceded to all the relevant international conventions.

"Last year, 1,524 drug crimes were registered in Armenia - a 23% increase compared with 2009. A total of 126 kg of drugs were confiscated, 854 people were prosecuted against 780 in 2009. This increase arouses our concern. On the other hand, we are satisfied with a higher crime detection rate. We must be determined to struggle against such crimes," Baghdasaryan said.

He pointed out Armenia`s active involvement in the Canal crime control activities within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The Armenian official stressed the importance of further development of cooperation in this field. The Commission decided to draft amendments to the law on criminal proceedings, which will remove some obstacles to drug addiction and trafficking control.

The Commission also discussed the work under the relevant national program 2010.