The Dushanbe Police Department has denied rumors circulating on social media about drugs being distributed near schools in the form of candy.
In an official statement released on February 10, the Dushanbe Police Department called the claims false and fabricated, urging the public not to trust unverified information. The police also reminded citizens that spreading false news can cause public panic and is punishable under criminal law.
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Jamoliddin Abdullozoda, confirmed that these reports do not reflect reality.
Recently, messages in online parent groups have alleged that schoolchildren were being given strawberry-flavored methamphetamine or “Strawberry Quick” drugs, causing severe hospitalizations.
While there is no evidence supporting these rumors, Zafar Samad, the head of Tajikistan’s Drug Control Agency (DCA) under the President of Tajikistan, has previously reported an increase in amphetamine use in the country, with most synthetic drugs smuggled from Afghanistan.
In 2024, seizures of psychotropic substances nearly doubled, while confiscations of synthetic drugs tripled.
Currently, 4,014 drug addicts are officially registered in the country—a 3.5% decrease compared to last year. This includes 110 women and five minors (compared to one minor in 2023).
The drug control kingpin emphasized that the National Drug Control Strategy has played a key role in reducing drug addiction, proving the success of Tajikistan’s anti-drug efforts.
