Solar systems installed in seven rural medical facilities in Chabahar with UNICEF support

The problem related to the fate of youth goes beyond the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, as it is directly connected to the genetic background of the nation, the future of the youth, and societal safety. Therefore, in the country, the fight against this evil is carried out not only by ensuring punishment but also by strengthening preventive measures aimed at eliminating the root causes.

For this purpose, a working group of the Agency for Narcotics and Firearms Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted a study at the Jizzakh State Pedagogical University. The goal of the study was to prevent drug crimes and timely suppress the illegal trafficking of psychotropic substances.

The study was not limited to simple familiarization. A comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the existing prevention system at the university was conducted, including the work of prevention reception points, the activities of prevention inspectors, and the effectiveness of events held within the framework of the youth affairs and spiritual and educational work direction during the 2025–2026 academic year. This analysis allowed for the identification of both effective aspects of existing experience and areas requiring further improvement.

The analysis showed that the most important factors in protecting youth from threats are targeted prevention, legal education, and a personalized approach. From this perspective, agency specialists provided recommendations and practical advice to leaders regarding priority tasks that should be implemented in this area during the 2026–2027 academic year. Special attention was paid to a more targeted organization of preventive work, early identification of risk factors, and strengthening systemic communication with young people.

This study at the Jizzakh State Pedagogical University serves the same noble goals. Because the most effective fight against drug addiction begins not with eliminating its consequences, but with forming a stable immunity against it in the consciousness of every young person.

In Johannesburg, vendors sell skin lightening products that children as young as five years old are exposed to. Experts warn that this practice can lead to long-term skin damage and is linked to cases of potentially fatal forms of skin cancer.

Scientists consider the widespread use of skin lightening products in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America a serious but often overlooked public health issue.

Professor Nkoza Dlova, head of the dermatology department at UKZN, has been appointed chairperson of the newly established Strategic Working Group on Skin Lightening. This global initiative aims to address health problems associated with harmful skin lightening practices.

The warning came amid South African researchers preparing a publication that may contain the first documented cases of squamous cell carcinoma linked to prolonged use of skin lightening agents.

Health

Dlova explained that squamous cell carcinoma is not common among people with darker skin because melanin provides protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation. She emphasized: 'When we remove melanin, we are effectively removing the very compound that protects us from skin cancer.'

Dlova reported that she and her colleague completed a study involving 50 patients from Senegal who developed squamous cell carcinoma after reporting prolonged use of skin lightening products. Researchers in South Africa were also preparing a paper based on several local cases.

Patients in the Senegalese study reported using skin lightening products for 10–20 years before developing squamous cell carcinoma. Dlova noted that while skin lightening was more commonly associated with women, it was increasingly used by men. Data from Nigeria, where mothers apply skin lightening products to their children, caused even greater concern.

During a recent public awareness campaign in Nigeria, Dlova encountered products specifically marketed for children. She stated: 'Children are exposed starting from five years old.'

Some skin lightening products contain hydroquinone, corticosteroids, mercury, and phenolic compounds. While some of these ingredients have legitimate medical uses when properly prescribed and monitored, Dlova cautioned that their misuse, prolonged application, or inclusion in unregulated products can cause serious harm.

She mentioned that some products are misleading, advertising themselves as achieving 'even skin tone,' 'light skin,' or as 'natural serums' and 'natural plant extracts,' despite containing potentially dangerous ingredients.

These products can thin the skin, making veins more visible and making users vulnerable to bruising, sun damage, darkening, and other complications. In severe cases, painless spots or ulcers can develop and enlarge.

Dlova warned that squamous cell carcinoma can be fatal if untreated, as it can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body. She added that some people use these products not to change skin color, but to even out sun-tanned skin tone, especially in very hot regions, as skin darkens more in summer than in winter due to natural sun exposure.

She particularly highlighted the danger of product exposure in childhood, as the damage caused by removing the skin's natural ultraviolet protection can accumulate over time. 'Since melanin is our shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation, when you remove that shield, damage begins, and it becomes cumulative.'

Skin lightening practices are prevalent in several regions. Dlova reported that studies recorded usage in approximately 75% of women in Nigeria, 50% in Senegal, and 60% of participants in North India. She noted that prevalence varies between countries and communities, with some studies reporting rates as high as 70% in parts of West Africa and up to 60% in some parts of Asia. In South Africa, the prevalence was around 55%, which is still high but lower than in other countries.

Dlova pointed to deep social issues related to colorism, politics, race, and psychology. The Strategic Working Group includes dermatologists, psychologists, anthropologists, historians, community workers, and individuals who have experienced side effects and stigma associated with skin lightening. She stressed that it is not just about the desire to be lighter.

The need for strengthened regulation and continuous monitoring was noted to prevent the sale of harmful products in pharmacies, spas, beauty salons, and markets. Dlova mentioned that some products enter through 'porous borders' from India, Europe, and other parts of the world, while some are also manufactured in South Africa. She called on the government to introduce regulatory measures to ensure these products are not manufactured, imported, or sold.

Dlova noted that researchers and doctors have limited control over compliance, so their immediate priority was empowering consumers and educating them about potentially harmful ingredients. She advised consumers to be cautious with products advertised as 'natural,' 'lightening,' or 'even-toned,' especially if they cause noticeable changes in skin color. 'If anything changes your skin tone, you should stop using it.'

Dlova also explained that many users were not trying to become lighter; some were attempting to treat acne scars, melasma, or uneven pigmentation, while others wanted to match the darker skin tones of the face and arms to areas of the body covered by clothing. She said that safe treatment methods exist, but they are often expensive and inaccessible. Many patients could not afford private dermatological care, and public hospitals had long waiting lists and did not always provide treatment for pigmentary disorders.

Dlova recommended avoiding prolonged sun exposure, using sunscreen if available, and protecting the skin with hats, clothing, or umbrellas. The working group plans to focus on public education, training healthcare workers, social media campaigns, and strengthening international regulation. Dlova stated that achieving results will require support from the media, influencers, and other public figures. However, she also emphasized that long-term change requires combating colorism and social beliefs that equate light skin with beauty, success, or higher status. 'Our goal is to ensure that children grow up knowing that we are all different, but beautiful in our own unique shades of skin.'

A randomized clinical trial conducted by scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus suggests that oral semaglutide has the potential to help individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) decrease episodes of excessive alcohol consumption. The findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and involved adults seeking treatment for this condition.

The study followed 50 participants with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder over eight weeks. Although the medication did not meet its primary endpoint, which was the reduction of alcohol craving measured in the lab, researchers noted improvements in several indicators of consumption and consequences related to alcoholism, strengthening the prospect of semaglutide as a future therapeutic alternative.

How the study was conducted

Researchers divided the 50 volunteers into two groups: one received oral semaglutide and the other received a placebo; the study was double-blind, meaning neither the patients nor the researchers knew who belonged to which group. The treatment lasted for eight weeks. During the first four weeks, volunteers took a daily dose of 3 mg of semaglutide, and in the subsequent four weeks, the dose was increased to 7 mg daily.

All participants had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher, presented with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, and were seeking help to reduce or cease alcohol consumption. Before the investigation began, these participants consumed an average of about six alcoholic drinks per day and reported approximately five days of excessive consumption weekly. Additionally, 98% of them were classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being at high or very high risk for alcohol consumption.

Reduction in excessive alcohol consumption

By the end of the eight weeks, participants who used semaglutide demonstrated fewer days of excessive alcohol consumption, consumed smaller amounts of drinks per occasion, and showed a decrease in daily alcohol craving compared to the placebo group. The treatment was also linked to a reduction in alcohol-related problems and a drop in cannabis use days among those already using the substance.

Joseph P. Schacht, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and lead author of the study, commented to Newsweek that the results suggest the drug may be beneficial for people who have not responded well to current therapies. Schacht stated: 'This study suggests that oral semaglutide can help reduce heavy and harmful alcohol consumption, even in people who are not trying to stop drinking completely.'

Despite the positive results, the study's main objective—measuring the intensity of the urge to drink after exposure to alcohol-related stimuli in a controlled environment—did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups. Similarly, the reduction in the average daily doses consumed throughout the study did not reach statistical significance.

Weight loss did not explain the results

Semaglutide, known for its use in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, is generally associated with weight loss. However, in this specific study, this phenomenon did not occur. Researchers found no significant difference in weight loss between the groups, indicating that the reduction in alcohol consumption appears to have happened independently of changes in body weight or dietary habits.

According to the authors, this finding supports the hypothesis that the drug may be acting on brain mechanisms related to reward and alcohol craving, rather than merely through appetite suppression.

Results still need confirmation

The side effects recorded during the research were mostly mild and occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Only one participant had to discontinue treatment after developing a skin rash considered likely related to the medication. Treatment adherence remained high.

However, the researchers themselves emphasize that the results must be analyzed with caution. The study was limited to 50 participants, was conducted at a single research center, and included predominantly white individuals with overweight or obesity. For this reason, the authors advocate for larger and more extensive clinical trials to verify if the observed benefits persist in more diverse populations.

Alcohol use disorder currently has only three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment, and no new therapy had been approved for this purpose since 2006. Given this scenario, researchers view semaglutide as a promising candidate for future clinical investigations.