As part of its ongoing efforts to prevent youth crime and delinquency, an important meeting was held at the Belarusian National Technical University's Faculty of Engineering and Education. Senior Lieutenant Vadim Gennadyevich Dashkevich, an investigator with the Drug Enforcement and Human Trafficking Department of the Criminal Police Department of the Pervomaisky District Administration of Minsk, addressed the students.
The main goal of the event is an open dialogue about the consequences that can forever ruin a young person's future.
Vadim Gennadyevich paid special attention to the problem of drug trafficking. The senior lieutenant described in detail the methods of " drug shops ," which lure students through social media and messaging apps with promises of quick and safe profits.
"Many people mistakenly believe that working as a drug courier is a game where they'll never get caught. In reality, the average 'career' for such a worker ranges from a couple of weeks to several months. Meanwhile, prison terms stipulated by Article 328 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus range in length—up to 15, 20, and even 25 years," the police officer noted.
During the conversation, real-life examples from professional practice were given, where a momentary desire to earn "easy money" resulted in the loss of freedom for young people in the prime of their lives.
"What struck me most was the difference between the promises online and the harsh reality. We often think that something bad could happen to someone else, but when you hear specific figures—10, 15 years in prison for a few days' worth of 'moonlighting'—you start to look at online safety entirely differently. This isn't just a lecture; it's a real warning," one student shared.
The second important topic of the meeting was combating human trafficking. Vadim Dashkevich explained to the students how to avoid becoming a victim of exploitation when looking for work abroad or online.
The meeting was held in a live format. Students from the Faculty of Engineering and Education were interested in legal liability, ways to protect personal data, and what to do if they witness a crime.
"The story of the student who wanted to earn money for a new phone and ended up getting a huge prison sentence is truly heartbreaking. We're studying to be engineering teachers, and it's important for us not only to know these rules ourselves but also to understand how to convey them to future students. Vadim Gennadyevich explained very clearly that there is no such thing as 'easy money,' only heavy responsibility," said Maria, a second-year student.
No amount of money is worth a ruined life. Law enforcement agencies urge young people to be vigilant, value their freedom, and make informed choices for a fair future.
