Administrative, Labor and Communicative Legal Relations of Employees of Public Administration Bodies in the Field of Combating Drug Offenses Using Information Technologies

Received: 28-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. JDAR-25-170987; Editor assigned: 16-Jun-2025, Pre QC No. JDAR-25-170987 (PQ); Reviewed: 30-Jun-2025, QC No. JDAR-25-170987; Revised: 13-Sep-2025, Manuscript No. JDAR-25-170987 (R); Published: 15-Oct-2025, DOI: 10.4303/JDAR/236455

Introduction

The problem of the spread of drug crimes is one of the most acute threats to national security and public health. Modern criminal groups actively use Information Technologies (IT) to organize their activities, which requires adequate and effective countermeasures from state administration bodies. This, in turn, leads to qualitative changes in the legal regulation of the activities of civil servants working in this area.

Modern methods of combating drug crimes are no longer limited to traditional investigative actions, but increasingly rely on digital tools big data analysis, monitoring of Internet resources, the use of specialized software. These changes directly affect the administrative, labor and communicative legal relations of employees, creating new challenges and opportunities. In particular, there is a need for a clear demarcation of powers (administrative relations), determining the specifics of work duties and responsibilities (labor relations), as well as establishing effective interdepartmental and international cooperation (communicative relations) [1-3].

Materials and Methods

The following methods can be used to study the topic Administrative, labor and communicative legal relations of employees of state administration bodies in the field of combating drug crimes using information technologies:

Theoretical methods

The method of analysis and synthesis: This method is used to study regulatory legal acts, scientific articles and other sources that regulate administrative, labor and communicative legal relations. Analysis allows you to decompose these relations into component elements and synthesis to combine them to form a holistic picture.

Comparative legal method: Allows you to compare domestic legislation with international experience and practice of other countries in the field of combating drug crimes, in particular, regarding the use of information technologies. This makes it possible to identify the advantages and disadvantages of existing norms.

System analysis method: The study is considered as a complex system in which administrative, labor and communicative legal relations are interrelated elements. The use of this method allows to identify internal connections and the impact of information technologies on these relations as a whole.

Empirical methods

Observation method: Used to collect primary information on the practical application of information technologies in the work of state bodies combating drug crimes. It is possible to observe the work of relevant departments, analyze the processes of information processing and its exchange.

Questionnaire and interview method: Used to obtain information from employees of state administration bodies themselves. Questionnaires and interviews can be aimed at studying their attitude to the use of IT, the problems they face and proposals for improving legal regulation.

Content analysis method: Used to analyze regulatory acts, departmental instructions, reports, protocols and other documentation. This allows to identify key concepts, trends and changes in legal regulation.

Research methodology

The research methodology is based on a dialectical approach, which involves the study of legal relations in their development and interconnection. It includes the following stages:

Stage 1: Conceptualization and statement of the problem

At this stage, the main problem of the study is formulated how the use of information technologies affects the legal relations of employees of state administration bodies in the field of combating drug crimes. The object, subject, goal and objectives of the study are determined.

Stage 2: Collection and analysis of information

Regulatory and legal acts, scientific sources, practice materials are collected and systematized. Empirical research (questionnaires, interviews) is conducted to obtain primary data.

Stage 3: Interpretation and justification of conclusions

Based on the collected data, intermediate and general conclusions are formulated. The results obtained are interpreted, patterns and contradictions are identified. For example, it turns out that the use of IT increases efficiency, but creates risks of violation of citizens' rights.

Stage 4: Development of practical recommendations

Based on the conclusions, specific proposals are developed to improve legislation, introduce new technologies and improve personnel training. These recommendations may be aimed at closing legal gaps, improving employee skills and strengthening control over the use of IT.

Results and Discussion

Administrative legal relations in the field of combating drug crimes regulate the powers, rights and obligations of state bodies (national police, security service of Ukraine) and their employees. The use of IT in this area is enshrined in special legislation, in particular the laws “on prevention and counteraction to the legalization (laundering) of proceeds of crime, Financing of Terrorism and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” and “on the basic principles of ensuring cybersecurity of Ukraine”. These norms authorize authorities to monitor, analyze and process data, including large data sets, to identify and document criminal networks. However, the use of IT must be carried out with strict adherence to the principles of legality and proportionality so as not to violate the rights and freedoms of citizens. For example, the use of programs for automated search of information on illegal drug trafficking on the Internet must be clearly regulated [4,5].

Labor relations

The labor relations of employees involved in combating drug crimes have their own specifics, since their activities are associated with increased risk, the need for access to confidential information and a quick response to the situation. The introduction of IT affects the following aspects of labor relations:

Labor organization: The use of specialized software (for example, for big data analysis) allows you to automate routine processes, increasing work efficiency. This requires employees to have knowledge and skills in working with modern technologies.

Discipline and responsibility: The requirements for compliance with the rules for working with information that constitutes a state secret are increasing. The introduction of IT systems to control the performance of tasks and monitor the work of employees also creates new challenges for protecting their rights.

Professional training: The use of new technologies requires constant professional development and training of personnel. It is necessary to develop professional training and retraining programs that meet modern requirements [6].

Professional training of government employees in the fight against drug crimes using information technology is a key factor in effectiveness. It includes not only legal knowledge, but also practical skills in working with IT tools.

Training in analytical systems: Employees must be able to use specialized software to analyze large amounts of data (big data) coming from various sources, including social networks, financial transactions and the dark net. This helps to identify hidden connections and document criminal networks.

Cybersecurity: Since employees deal with confidential information, they must have cybersecurity skills to prevent data leaks, unauthorized access and attacks. Continuous learning: As technology is constantly evolving, employees must regularly undergo advanced training. This allows them to stay abreast of new methods of operation of criminals and effectively counteract them [7].

Discipline and responsibility: The use of IT in the work of public administration bodies requires employees to have a high level of discipline and responsibility. This is enshrined in labor relations and is important for compliance with the law.

Compliance with information rules: Employees are required to strictly comply with the rules for working with information that constitutes a state secret or confidential data. Their improper use, disclosure or damage is subject to disciplinary, administrative or even criminal liability.

Control and monitoring: Management can use internal IT systems to monitor the actions of employees to ensure that they comply with security protocols and effectively perform their duties.

Liability for errors: Incorrect use of IT tools, such as erroneous data analysis, can lead to unlawful actions against citizens. This can have legal consequences for the employee and his management, which emphasizes the importance of professional training and a responsible attitude to work.

Communicative legal relations

Communicative legal relations are the interaction between various bodies and their divisions, as well as with external entities, which is critically important for the successful fight against drug crimes. The use of IT has significantly accelerated the exchange of information and ensured the efficiency of decision-making.

Interagency communication: The use of secure communication channels and common databases allows coordinating the actions of different departments (police, prosecutor's office, SBU) and avoiding duplication of functions. Interagency communication in the field of combating drug crimes is a key element that ensures the effectiveness of state bodies. It is based on legal relations that regulate the interaction between various departments, such as the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Border Service, the Prosecutor's Office and others. The use of Information Technologies (IT) transforms this communication, making it more operational, integrated and secure.

Legal relations of interagency communication in this area are regulated by a number of regulatory legal acts, in particular: Laws of Ukraine: "on the national police", "On the Security Service of Ukraine", "on state protection of court and law enforcement employees".

Departmental orders and instructions: They determine the procedures for information exchange, levels of access to data and responsibility for their improper use. These documents form the basis for the creation of unified information systems and databases that allow departments to work as a single mechanism.

Impact of information technology

Shared information systems: Creating shared databases (e.g., crime registers, wanted persons) avoids duplication of information and ensures its relevance. With the help of IT, different agencies can access the necessary data in real time [8].

Secure communication channels: Secure messengers and communication channels are used to exchange confidential information, making it impossible to intercept data. This is critical for maintaining state secrets and employee safety.

Process automation: IT allows you to automate the process of processing requests and exchanging information between agencies. For example, electronic requests for information about a person or his actions can be processed much faster than paper documents. Example: Coordination of actions during an arrest.

Let's imagine a situation where the police receive information about drug smuggling. Thanks to established interdepartmental communication and the use of IT, the process goes like this: The police enter data about suspects into a shared database. The State Border Guard Service receives this information in real time. The Security Service of Ukraine gains access to the data and begins monitoring the suspects' communications. Through a secure chat, all departments coordinate their actions and discuss the operation plan. Thus, IT ensures a quick and coordinated response of all departments involved [9-12].

International cooperation: With the help of IT, operational information is exchanged through specialized international platforms, which helps in organizing joint operations and extradition of criminals. An example of such cooperation is joint operations that are carried out using information received from foreign partners.

Public communication: State bodies use IT to inform the population about the dangers of drugs and carry out preventive measures, as well as to receive reports from citizens about the facts of drug distribution. This increases the level of trust and public involvement in the fight against crime (Table 1).

Table 1: The relationship between legal relations and IT in the fight against drug crimes.

Analysis of available statistics shows that digitalization in the field of combating drug crime in Ukraine is at the stage of formation.

The growth in the number of drug-related cybercrimes indicates that criminals are actively using digital technologies. The lack of centralized statistics specifically on the digitalization of service relations is one of the main problems, which complicates the assessment of effectiveness and planning.

Main problems: Insufficient funding, lack of qualified specialists in the field of cybersecurity and the complexity of legislative regulation of procedures for collecting digital evidence.

Despite these challenges, the active use of digital tools is indispensable in the modern world, therefore its further development and improvement is critically important for increasing the effectiveness of the fight against drug crime.

The introduction of Information Technology (IT) into the activities of state bodies combating drug crimes is radically changing the nature of administrative, labor and communication legal relations. An analysis of these changes shows that IT does not just help in the performance of tasks, but also creates new legal challenges.

Administrative legal relations are becoming more dynamic: For example, the use of Big Data analysis systems allows to identify hidden connections between criminal groups by analyzing data from open sources, social networks and financial transactions. This increases the efficiency of investigations, but requires the authorities to strictly comply with the legislation on the protection of personal data. Unauthorized access to such data can lead to serious legal consequences.

Labor legal relations are also undergoing changes. Employees are required not only to master traditional investigative methods, but also to have in-depth knowledge in the field of cybersecurity and IT. This requires the development of new training and advanced training programs. At the same time, the use of internal IT systems allows management to monitor the performance of each employee, which, on the one hand, increases discipline and on the other, raises the issue of privacy in the workplace.

Communicative legal relations become more operational and integrated. Secure communication channels allow for instant exchange of information between departments. This is especially important for interagency coordination. For example, the police, the SBU and border guards may participate in an operation to seize a large consignment of drugs at the same time and success depends on the rapid exchange of data [13-16].

Administrative legal relations

Example: The cybercrime department of the national police uses specialized software to monitor the dark net to detect websites selling drugs. This activity is regulated by administrative law, which allows the police to collect evidence, but with clear restrictions on intrusion into privacy.

Analysis: The use of such a system is legal if it is used to detect criminal activity. However, if the system collects data on innocent users, this may be considered a violation of their rights [17].

Example: A new employee working with drug crime databases is required to complete a cybersecurity course and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Violation of this agreement is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Analysis: The use of IT creates new responsibilities for employees and increases the requirements for their professional training. This demonstrates how employment relationships are adapting to technological requirements [18-20].

Communication

Example: During the investigation of an international drug smuggling case, Ukrainian police exchange information with colleagues from other countries via secure Interpol platforms.

Analysis: This example shows how IT enables effective international cooperation, which is key in the fight against transnational crime. This transforms communication relationships from local to global [21-24].

Conclusion

The use of IT not only increases the efficiency and efficiency of work, but also creates new legal challenges that require clear regulation.

Transformation of administrative legal relations

Strengthening of powers: IT, such as big data analysis systems and Internet monitoring, provide state bodies with unprecedented opportunities to detect and document criminal activity. This strengthens their powers, but requires strict adherence to the principles of legality and proportionality.

Protection of citizens' rights: It is necessary to develop clear legal mechanisms that would prevent data abuse and protect the right to privacy, since the use of IT can easily lead to unauthorized interference in personal life.

Changes in labor relations: New qualification requirements: The use of IT requires employees to have knowledge in the field of cybersecurity, data analysis and work with specialized software. This necessitates the need for continuous training and advanced training.

Strengthening disciplinary responsibility: The responsibility of employees for unauthorized access, disclosure or damage to confidential information is increasing, as IT tools make it easy to track such violations.

Evolution of communication relations: Acceleration of interagency interaction: Secure communication channels and shared databases significantly accelerate the exchange of information between different agencies, which allows joint operations to be carried out more effectively and in a coordinated manner.

Strengthening international cooperation: IT is the basis for establishing and maintaining international cooperation in the fight against transnational drug cartels. Data exchange through international platforms ensures a prompt response to crimes that cross borders.

Therefore, the use of IT in the fight against drug crimes is an integral part of the modern activities of state bodies. However, in order for this process to be effective and legal, it is necessary to constantly improve legislation, develop new personnel training programs and ensure a high level of legal culture and responsibility.

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflicts of Interest

Authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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