The NPM proposed that the MIZŠ ensure funds particularly for blood and urine drug testing of adolescents in VIZ Smlednik, in educational groups and the Ježek residential group. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of VIZ Smlednik explained: “You pointed to the insufficient testing of adolescents for the illicit abuse of psychoactive substances and subsequent reduced attention to preventing such conduct. It was stressed that not enough testing was done in the residential group and little was done to prevent addiction. The staff replied that they had established good relationships with the adolescents, who trust them with their problems, which is why they did not implement testing in practice which would actually confirm abuse. They conduct individual discussions and group activities whereby they direct thinking about how to resolve issues with more appropriate methods and reduce the influence of addiction.” The NPM commended the activities of MD Jarše and the MIZŠ in preparing a suitable and systemically comprehensive solution regarding youth apartments. In this respect, we particularly hope that the competent ministries and responsible services will regulate the project of youth apartments. Relating to the aforementioned, the NPM expects that the recommendation made during its previous visit, i.e. that the idea of youth apartments be upgraded and expanded to other residential treatment institutions, will be realised in reasonable time. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of MD Jarše explained: “Discussions among experts and headteachers in institutions and the MIZŠ are underway in this field. Certain views on the systemic arrangement of the institutions which substantively also encompass the arrangement of youth apartments have been prepared. So we are optimistic about these contents, since this denotes certain progress in a field in which the status quo remained the same for a long time and no suitable solutions were devised.” The NPM again recommended that, regarding the format and quantity of such education courses, the management of MD Jarše, draft a plan for the systematic and ongoing education of adolescents, if possible also of parents, on the harmful use of drugs and alcohol, the rehabilitation process, the establishment and maintenance of abstinence, the consequences of risky behaviours (e.g. use of nonsterile needles, unprotected sex etc.), prevention of HIV and hepatitis infections and quitting smoking. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of MD Jarše explained: “Regarding the recommendation on the systematic and ongoing education of adolescents and parents on the harmful use of drugs and alcohol and related issues, we note that these contents have been systematically incorporated into classes in the form of thematic workshops, including individual systematic informing and awareness-raising of parents during individual meetings. We agree with the proposal to draft a plan for these contents, which would actually summarise all the activities we are already implementing. We also agree that having a plan would facilitate monitoring to a certain degree (at the level of the entire institution).” The NPM proposed that MD Jarše and its staff make further efforts, also by setting an example, to deter adolescents from smoking or encourage them to stop. We propose again that MD Jarše prepare a strategy for discussing smoking and continue to systematically educate parents and adolescents on the harmfulness of smoking and ways of stopping. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of MD Jarše explained: “Regarding the recommendation referring to smoking, we establish that we already raise awareness in this field when working with parents and adolescents. And we also work preventively. With certain limitations and smoking rules, we try to limit and prevent smoking. Certain educational elements and levers, which daily remind the adolescents of the harmfulness of smoking, may be present within the implementation of individual programmes in a residential group. The NPM recommended that every adolescent be given a presentation brochure with basic information on life in MD Jarše upon admission. 104 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2016 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT