Drugs Now Found Even in Drinks, Energy Products, Coffee, and Sweets

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Drug addiction remains one of the most pressing challenges of modern society, with drug use continuing to rise among people of all ages — particularly the youth.

Senior Inspector of the National Center for Drug Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mukhammadkodir Makhmudov, spoke to UzA about the illicit drug trade and the growing risk of addiction among young people.

“The lives and future of young people who, knowingly or unknowingly, fall under the influence of drugs are a matter of serious concern for everyone,” Makhmudov said. “Those who descend into this abyss harm not only themselves and their families but society as a whole.”

With the advancement of technology and the internet, drug traffickers have changed their methods, developing more complex and anonymous distribution schemes. While drugs were once passed directly from hand to hand, today they are delivered through hidden drop-off points and intermediaries whose identities are difficult to trace.

The situation is further aggravated by the growth of secret drug laboratories that produce thousands of deadly doses, making it extremely difficult to identify the people ordering and distributing the substances.

According to Makhmudov, the form of drugs has also evolved. “In the past, drugs appeared in their natural state. Now, they are being added to various consumer products — including beverages, energy bars, coffee, sweets, and similar items,” he noted.

Even a single use of such substances can lead to addiction — regardless of gender, age, or social status. Drugs produced in illegal underground labs are particularly dangerous: one dose can be fatal. In 2024, five such laboratories were uncovered, while eight have already been identified in the first half of 2025.

Another alarming trend, Makhmudov said, is that many parents — busy with work and other obligations — remain unaware that their children may have started using drugs. Modern synthetic substances often do not exhibit visible symptoms of use.

“In the past, the word ‘drug addict’ brought to mind a person with darkened eyes and needle marks on their veins. Today’s addicted youth may appear unusually active, alert, and energetic, which doesn’t raise suspicion among parents,” he explained.

Initially, these behavioral changes may seem positive, but they are short-lived. Over time, pain, psychological instability, and severe mental shifts can push some young people toward tragic outcomes, including suicide.

The rise in drug use has also led to a sharp increase in related crimes. According to law enforcement data, the number of drug-related offenses in Uzbekistan has grown by 23% compared to the previous year.

There is also a growing tendency for drug dealers to recruit university students as couriers. “Young people who have just entered higher education, full of dreams about their future careers, are ending up on a dangerous path,” Makhmudov said. In the first six months of 2025 alone, 46 university students were found to have been involved in drug trafficking.

In conclusion, Makhmudov emphasized that both the illegal drug trade and the consequences of addiction are extremely dangerous. “Everyone — especially parents — must remain vigilant and attentive to their children’s behavior,” he urged.