In this year’s report on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress, the European Commission cited Sarajevo Canton as a positive example in the fight against drug abuse, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton (MUP KS).
The MUP KS said the 2026 Report described the fight against abuse as one area where Bosnia and Herzegovina must take more serious institutional and legislative steps. The report, among other things, stated that at the state levels neither strategy nor action plan for combating drug trafficking has been adopted at the state level.
At the same time, in chapter 2.2.2 (Justice, Freedom, and Security) on page 51 of the report, the European Commission recognizes Sarajevo Canton as a positive example. The report states that Canton Sarajevo adopted and is effectively implementing the Strategy and Action Plan Against Drug Abuse for the period 2024-2028.
According to the report, the implementation of the strategy resulted in a ten-fold increase in the quantity of narcotics seized by the Canton Sarajevo police in 2025 compared to 2024. It also highlighted that the police introduced drug testing for drivers during traffic controls and established a Counseling Center for Minors.
Katica: The Strategy Is Yielding Results
“For the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, which led the drafting of this strategy and action plan, this has a huge significance. The analysis of our results in the European Commission Report shows that they recognized our efforts in suppressing the supply, demand, and prevention of illicit drugs, which we are systematically implementing in Canton Sarajevo,” stated the line minister, Admir Katica (NiP).
According to him, the ministry works with young people alongside the Ministry of Education and Upbringing to influence the demand for illicit drugs; the police act to reduce drug supply, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy work on prevention and harm reduction, while the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Culture and Sports are involved in promoting targeted public messaging, which is precisely why their work is yielding results.
As part of the strategy, a unique database on drug abuse was formed for the first time in Sarajevo Canton. It contains data on the quantities and types of seized drugs and drug production laboratories, the number of drivers tested for drugs, the number of addicts reporting to the Canton Sarajevo Public Health Institute, the tests performed, and the number of minors experimenting with drugs who turn to the Counseling Center.
MUP KS is currently conducting the drug prevention and suppression campaign titled “Sharpen Your Mind – Keep Substances at a Distance” (“Izoštri um – supstancu na distancu”), which is aimed at elementary and high school students.
The procurement entails the upgrade of the IMS4 FCST forecast system, AWOS and ATIS systems, a test system, spare parts, installation, and a maintenance contract. The equipment will be delivered to Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Mostar.
