In Slovakia, Health Minister Kamil Šaško has expressed intentions to implement regulations on vending machines that offer psychoactive substances, which are easily accessible to minors. It has been reported that these new synthetic drugs, such as HHC, are typically sold for prices ranging from 10 to 30 euros and are increasingly being used by children as young as 12 years old. The alarming rate of usage among young people has prompted government officials to take action to mitigate the potential harm caused by these substances.

The proposed legislation aims to simplify the regulation process by focusing on entire groups of substances based on their chemical composition, rather than individually listing almost 900 banned drugs. This shift is designed to ensure that if manufacturers introduce a new derivative of a synthetic substance, it will automatically be classified as banned without the need for a lengthy addition process. This strategy is inspired by regulatory measures in Germany and aims to keep pace with evolving drug manufacturing techniques.

Minister Šaško is optimistic about garnering widespread societal and political support for this initiative, citing it as a modern and effective tool to combat the growing issue of synthetic drug use among youth. The discussion around this legislation is set to enter interdepartmental consultation in April, signaling a proactive approach towards drug regulation in Slovakia and a potential precedent in tackling similar issues across Europe.