### **Intriguing Headlines** The Ministry of Health of Latvia has summarized the results of the plan to reduce the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in 2023–2025. Out of 35 planned activities, only 19 were fully completed, and three key performance indicators were not achieved. The proportion of working-age residents abusing alcohol did not decrease as planned, but instead rose from **39.8% in 2020 to 41.6% in 2024**. The goal of reducing drug use was also not met. While the initial target was to lower this figure to 4.4%, it actually increased to **5.5%**. According to the ministry's estimates, between **57,000 and 72,000 residents of the country** may have used drugs in the past year, with the most affected group being youth aged 15 to 34. The target for reducing readmissions of patients with addictions was also not achieved. The Ministry of Health explains this by stating that due to a lack of funding, many measures were not implemented, including the expansion of the Minnesota addiction treatment program, increased medication compensation, and the development of specialized care. At the same time, the ministry notes some progress in prevention. International programs Unplugged and PAX have begun to be implemented in schools, aimed at developing life skills in children and adolescents and preventing harmful habits. According to the Ministry of Health, the first results of these programs will only be assessable in a few years. The ministry acknowledges that the fight against addictions requires a long-term strategy, stable funding, and more active engagement with youth and parents. Furthermore, the agency suggests that in the future, the state policy on addiction prevention and mental health protection should be integrated, as these issues are closely interconnected.