Malicious street art
In the heart of Kazakhstan's capital, an event was recently held as part of the ongoing municipal anti-drug campaign, "Astana - City Without Drugs." This initiative, aimed at reducing drug supply, preventing youth substance use, and expanding treatment and rehabilitation services, is a key component of broader national and local efforts.
The event was attended by representatives from the city prosecutor's office, the apparatus of the "Baykonur" district akimat (local administration), the district police department, and volunteers from the "Astana Zhasy" Youth Resource Centre. The Anti-Narcotics Department of the Astana Police Department was also present.
The event was also linked to the large-scale eco-campaign "Clean Kazakhstan." Authorities have used the same channels for awareness-raising, involving volunteers in prevention outreach, and promoting healthier, drug-free public spaces. This linkage is implemented by coordinating municipal programs so that environmental cleanups, public events, and civic patrols also serve as platforms for anti-drug messaging and community vigilance.
The "Astana - City Without Drugs" campaign focuses on stricter policing of drug trafficking routes, interdiction of domestic production, and targeting online distribution channels, alongside prevention (especially among young people) and expansion of rehabilitation services for addicts. The authorities cite rising synthetic drug distribution, online sales, and transnational trafficking that increase domestic consumption and threaten public health and security as the rationale for these measures.
The exact nature and purpose of the event are not specified, but it is clear that it was held under the comprehensive plan for the prevention and fight against drug addiction. The event's location was also not provided in the text.
While reporting on Kazakhstan's anti-drug operations, statements by officials, and coverage of municipal campaigns and mobilizations describe the linking of civic/eco events to prevention outreach and public order measures, detailed official program documents describing the exact operational integration between the two campaigns are limited in open reporting.
- In light of the ongoing anti-drug campaign "Astana - City Without Drugs," there could be a potential expansion of the initiative towards promoting health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, as tools for drug prevention and public health improvement.
- Despite the focus on curbing drug trafficking and addiction, future events under the "Astana - City Without Drugs" campaign might also differ to include discussions and demonstrations related to science and technological advancements in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, to encourage a drug-free lifestyle and holistic well-being in the city.
