New Latvian study examines young people’s access to illegal drugs

22.07.2026 - A comprehensive new Latvian study has examined how young people access narcotic and psychotropic substances, how illegal drugs circulate, and how available they are within educational institutions.

The research was presented at a Latvian State Police conference titled “Drug availability among young people: reality and action”, held on 31 March 2026. Nearly 50 experts from public institutions and other relevant sectors participated in the event, where they discussed the study’s findings as well as possible responses to the challenges identified.

The study was conducted by PwC as part of an Internal Security Fund project led by the Latvian State Police. According to the police, it is the first Latvian study of this kind to examine the issue on such a broad scale. In addition to exploring young people’s own experiences, it provides an analysis of the availability and distribution patterns of narcotic and psychotropic substances, including their availability in educational institutions during 2024.

Participants at the conference also discussed current trends and challenges related to the involvement of young people in the illegal drug market. The programme covered preventive measures carried out by the State Police, practical tools and programmes for addiction prevention in schools, cooperation between institutions, and areas where current responses could be improved.

The study returned to public attention in July, when the Latvian State Police announced the completion of the wider project under which it had been commissioned. In that announcement, the police said the research had provided a more detailed understanding of drug distribution in Latvia and would be used as a basis for future drug-control activities.

The wider project also included 15 specialised training programmes for more than 500 participants. The training covered areas including digital intelligence and open-source intelligence, cryptocurrency and digital evidence investigations, surveillance, operational work and the use of specialised technical equipment. The total project budget was €1.922 million, including €1.4415 million from the European Union’s Internal Security Fund.

The full research report has been made publicly available through Latvia’s government research and publications database.