Contemporary forms and methods of counteracting narcotization of the youth

The purpose of the paper is to examine the most efficient forms and methods of counteracting narcotization in society, especially of the youth, and also to characterize the most important factors of the proliferation of narcotization. The authors used the following methods in the research: dialectical, dogmatic, method of systematic analysis and comparative-legal method.The paper analyses forms and methods of counteracting narcotization of the youth in Ukraine and worldwide. It elaborates the definition of the following terms: “narcotization”, “counteracting narcotization”, “forms of counteracting narcotization” and “methods of counteracting narcotization”. It ascertains that emerging and proliferation of narcotization has a direct correlation with the complex of social factors, each one of them obtained a specific characteristic. Besides analyzing the major factors of emergence and proliferation of narcotization of the youth, the paper gives particular attention to defining forms, methods and means of counteracting this socially harmful phenomenon. The paper studies positive experience in regard to activities of law enforcement agencies of the developed countries in the sphere of counteracting narcotization, including narcotization of the youth. It emphasizes that coercive methods of reducing narcotization have much lower efficiency compared to preventive methods that are generally more humane and economically efficient. The paper formulates the conclusion about the necessity of ongoing engagement of the community in counteracting narcotization of society, especially of the youth.