DUSHANBE, 15.08.2019 (NIAT Khovar) – In recent years, the number of drug addicts has significantly decreased in Tajikistan. As of 1st June 2019, 5666 drug addicts were registered (of which 128 were women), which is 1222 people (17.7%) less than in 2018, reported the Chairman of the Coordinating Council for the Prevention of Drug Abuse, Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Azim Ibrohim during the council’s extended meeting in Dushanbe.

The Vice-Chairmen of the Council, members of the Council from among the heads of relevant ministries and departments, deputy chairmen of provinces, cities and districts, as well as representatives of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, OSCE, UN Development Program, European Unioin and others took part in the meeting, reported Khovar’s correspondent from the meeting at the National Library of Tajikistan.

The meeting focused on the issues relating to the current state of drug abuse in Tajikistan and measures aimed at its prevention, the situation with HIV/AIDS and the state of vulnerability of the population with preventive measures.
Information was also heard on the implementation of the decisions of the Protocol of the meeting of the Coordinating Council for the Prevention of Drug Abuse dated 12th February 2019.

Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan, Council’s Deputy Chairman Sherkhon Salimzoda spoke about the drug situation in Tajikistan and measures for its prevention, while the Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan, Council’s Deputy Chairman Nasim Olimzoda informed the attendees about HIV/AIDS vulnerability of the population.

The Council’s Secretary, the head of the drug trafficking control and drug prevention department of the Drug Control Agency Bozorali Safaralizoda provided information on the implementation of the decisions of the Protocol of the Coordinating Council on Drug Abuse Prevention dated 12th February 2019.

“The drug situation in Tajikistan and other countries of the region directly depends on the situation in Afghanistan. In the early 90s drug users were not officially registered in Tajikistan. In 1995-1996, drug addicts were registered in the country, and in 1998 their number reached 1,475 people, including 61 women. Further their numbers began to increase in 2008 reaching 8846 people,» said Salimzoda.

“The measures taken by the government of Tajikistan and relevant bodies contributed to the fact that in 2019 their numbers decreased by 3180 people, compared to 2008, the decrease was 36%. Narcotic substances are not cultivated or produced in Tajikistan. According to the age category, people between 18-34 years old make up 1102 of those currently registered, those between 35-59 years old make up 4423 people, while those over 60 years old — total 141 people. Fortunately, not a single person under the age of 18 is registered,” noted Salimzoda.

Following the speeches, a discussion and exchange of views on the above issues took place, and relevant decisions were also made.

The meeting of the Coordinating Council for the Prevention of Drug Abuse was held for the first time in an expanded format.

The purpose of the expanded meeting is to coordinate the activities of those responsible in the field of narcology and drug prevention, to provide practical information on the number of drug addicts and HIV-infected people, to inform about the decisions of the Coordinating Council for the prevention of drug abuse.

In order to coordinate the activities of ministries and departments, executive bodies of state authorities in the field of drug abuse prevention, the Coordinating Council for the Prevention of Drug Abuse was established be a presidential decree on April 3, 2004.