Augustów: Police warn youths about drugs and dopalacze

At the Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Wychowawczy in Augustów, an officer from the local police once again spoke with young people about a topic that affects their everyday lives more than many adults are willing to admit: drugs and so-called "dopalacze", synthetic intoxicants with often incalculable risks. The meeting took place as part of the nationwide campaign "Narkotyki i dopalacze zabijają", which aims to make young people aware of the deadly consequences of addictive substances.

The police officer used the opportunity to talk openly with the youths about typical danger situations: peer pressure among friends, seemingly harmless experiments at parties or the downplaying of supposedly "legal" substances offered on the internet or on the street. The core message was that even a single use can lead to serious health damage and often triggers a downward spiral of dependence, drug-related crime and social exclusion.

Dangers of drugs and synthetic substances

The officer explained how classic drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines or cocaine affect body and mind and what acute and long-term consequences can be expected. She issued particularly urgent warnings about synthetic substances sold under the label "dopalacze". These mixtures are often chemically unknown, vary from batch to batch and can, even in small doses, lead to seizures, psychosis, organ failure or death.

Using real case examples, she described situations in which young people ended up in hospital after consuming drugs or designer substances or suffered severe permanent damage. The cases did not come from anonymous big cities but from regions in which the youths could recognise themselves. This made it clear that the risk is not abstract but present in their own environment.

Legal consequences and the police perspective

Another focus of the meeting was on legal consequences. The officer explained that dealing with narcotics – possession, dealing, production or distribution – is punishable in Poland and can result in severe penalties. Even those who "only" experiment or obtain drugs for friends can make themselves liable to prosecution and face criminal records that massively restrict training opportunities and career prospects.

From the police perspective, prevention and education are a central pillar of drug control. Checks, investigations and raids remain important, but without early talks with young people, addiction careers are difficult to prevent. This is why the police in Augustów deliberately rely on repeated visits to schools and care institutions such as the Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Wychowawczy.

Open dialogue with the youths

It was particularly important for the officer to create an open space for discussion. The young people could ask anonymous questions, report their own experiences or talk about situations in which they had been confronted with offers of drugs. Many took the opportunity to ask for concrete strategies on how to say "no" without being seen as outsiders in their group.

The speaker highlighted typical manipulation patterns used by dealers and older users who see underage youths as an easy target group. These include trivialising statements such as "just try once" or supposed special offers intended to bind young people to a substance. She made it clear that behind the friendly façade there are often hard business interests in which the health of consumers plays no role.

Strategies to strengthen personal decision-making

To provide practical support, the group worked out phrases and behaviours that can defuse risky situations at an early stage. These include clear, short refusals, consciously avoiding certain places or groups and agreeing on "rescue signals" with trusted persons. The aim is to give young people tools that allow them to stick to their own decisions even under social pressure.

• Setting boundaries early and upholding them consistently
• Identifying trusted persons with whom pressure situations can be discussed openly
• Using information sources that are medically and legally sound

Role of the Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Wychowawczy

The Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Wychowawczy in Augustów supports young people who have faced difficult social situations, conflicts or risky behaviour in their previous environment. Prevention plays a key role here: many of the youths do not know drugs only from the news but from their direct living environment. The combination of educational guidance and regular specialist input from the police and other institutions is intended to help them break dangerous patterns and develop new perspectives.

The staff of the institution welcomed the officer’s renewed visit. As they emphasised, such events reinforce their daily educational work by presenting the dangers of drug use from an additional, authentic perspective. At the same time, the young people experience the police not only as a control authority but as a contact partner who listens and can offer concrete support.

Part of a long-term prevention strategy

The campaign "Narkotyki i dopalacze zabijają" is designed for the long term and includes information materials, workshops, lectures and media activities throughout Poland. In Augustów, the meeting at the Młodzieżowy Ośrodek Wychowawczy is part of a series of events involving schools, youth centres and public institutions. The aim is to reach as many young people as possible before they are lured into risky consumption or involvement in drug dealing.

Even though there was neither a raid nor a seizure in this specific case, the report makes it clear that the fight against drug-related crime does not consist only of spectacular operations. At least as important are the quieter moments in the classroom when a police officer talks to young people, answers questions and may thus prevent curiosity and peer pressure from turning into a life-threatening decision.