Spatial analysis of drug offences and their use registered by the Lithuanian Police in Vilnius City Municipality in 2015–2022

The world today is heavily influenced by the use of psychoactive substances, consumption is on the rise, and it is becoming an increasingly serious social problem in Lithuania.Addiction to drugs often has a catastrophic effect on people's health and lives, causing illnesses and leading people down a downward path in life, which often leads to an increase in crime.The media are increasingly reporting on this problem, its prevalence, and the young people who are often victims, without being aware of the possible consequences.The main objective of this study is to identify and map the incidents related to use of narcotics in Vilnius City Municipality in order to provide the necessary information and introduce preventive measures.In order to achieve the set objectives, this research uses the methods of analysing literature sources and data.Cartographic analysis methods and statistical analysis are also applied.The main data for this study is the event data from the Lithuanian Police Recorded Events Register (hereinafter referred to as PRER), which was analysed using ArcGIS software.The objects of the PRER are further defined as "criminal offences, other offences and events the investigation of which is entrusted by law to the police, individuals taken into police custody and confined in police custody".It is worth noting that this refers to activities that may have links to criminal activity, which does not mean that it is already classified as a crime, as it happens, because it is not necessarily police officers who submit data to this register.