A French project to prevent the involvement of minors in drug trafficking networks
According to many professionals, the threat posed by criminal networks orchestrating drug trafficking has never been so important in France. A recent phenomenon of concern is the expansion of the recruitment of minors as a vulnerable workforce for the operations of these organizations.
To tackle this phenomenon, the French Interministerial mission for combatting drugs and addictive behaviours (MILDECA) conducted an experimentation between 2020 and 2023 called LIMITS (Limiter l’implication des mineurs dans les trafics de stupéfiants) , with three territories, in order to develop a local and multi-partner prevention system.
This experiment was followed by a team of researchers to monitor the deployment of the project and draw initial lessons.
Based on the actions carried out in the pilot territories and the evaluation work, the MILDECA has drawn up a reference framework, designed for local authorities and partners wishing to embark on a project to prevent the involvement of minors in criminal networks.
It aims to provide a few guidelines and disseminate best practices, highlighting pitfalls to avoid and promising paths to success for new projects.
The guidelines are divided into 4 parts:
- Project organization and sharing of a diagnosis, essential for determining shared directions and action plans.
- Action strategies targeting minors
- Action strategies targeting families
- Actions that concern the environment in the broadest sense, and that can mobilize many citizens.
Each section includes a few points of reference and knowledge, as well as examples of actions. The solutions are essentially local, and rely on the knowledge, commitment and joint efforts of many professionals, which this project aims to reinforce.
In response to the concerns of many local elected officials, in January 2024, the MILDECA launched a national call for projects aimed at local authorities wishing to tackle this problem. Fifteen localities, throughout France, have been selected to launch action plans Based on the reference framework supported by the MILDECA.
Over two million euros, coming from criminal assets seized and confiscated from drug traffickers, have been allocated to these projects.
In 2025, the MILDECA will select and finance fifteen new local projects through its yearly call for projects, bringing the number of cities in the LIMITS network to over thirty in France.
In addition to providing methodological and financial support for local authorities involved in LIMITS, the MILDECA coordinates and leads the network, sharing best practices and developing new responses.
A new evaluation for a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the LIMITS project will also begin in 2025.
We encourage countries to share any similar initiatives or field experiences implemented in their respective regions to prevent the involvement of minors in drug trafficking.