Kyrgyzstan: taking the path of humanising drug policy

Vienna, March 12, 2009

 

Today at the High Level Segment of the 52nd Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) the head of the Kyrgyz delegation general Rashid Tagaev officially stated that Kyrgyzstan is taking the path of humanising the legal and administrative framework around drug use and removing unnecessarily retributive tendencies in drug policy, and enables access of drug users to the social, legal and health services.

In his speech, Mr. Tagaev admitted the important role of harm reduction services including needle exchange, opioid substitution treatment in prevention and treatment of drug users as well as the role of health services targeting prisoners and promoting their re-socialization. Today harm reduction is the main approach in drug demand reduction in the Kyrgyz Republic and a part of its governmental HIV/AIDS policy.

Mr. Tagaev underlined the necessity to overcome stigma and discrimination against drug users as an important condition in effective implementation of harm reduction programs.

This statement of Kyrgyzstan is based on the consolidated position of both governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations of the Kyrgyz Republic. Contribution of the civil society in the process of preparation of the national position for the High Level Segment of the 52nd CND as well as their participation in the work of the country delegation during the event proves that the Government is ready to work with civil society in forming drug policies, based on the principles of human and health rights.

Besides Mr. Tagaev, the members of the official delegation of Kyrgyzstan are the deputy of the Parliament Guldzhamal Sultanalieva, Bonivur Ishemkulov (Country Coordination Multisectoral Committee for Socially Important Diseases and Dangerous Infections) and Erik Irisculbekov (civil foundation “Legal clinic Adilet”).

For further information please contact Aleksander Zelichenko at: +996 555 925292, zelitchenko(at)yahoo.com

 

 

Georgia calls for recognition of harm reduction at the highest level

Vienna, March 12, 2009

On March 12, during the second day of the High level segment of the 52nd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs a head of the Georgian delegation Deputy Chair of National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, doctor Akaki Gamkrelidze, called for more balanced, evidence based drug policies that include harm reduction as one of the pillars of drug policy.

Despite some progress made in the scale up of drug treatment services, introduction of opioid substitution therapy in prisons, the increasing tendency in funding of services reducing drug related harms, Georgia still criminalizes drug use and lacks a comprehensive drug strategy that would allow to provide and scale up harm reduction services on policy level. As Mr. Gamkrelidze mentioned in his speech, the number of problem drug users is not decreasing, hepatitis C, overdose and other drug related harms remain to be the central problems for Georgia and therefore called the international community to acknowledge harm reduction on the political level and reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to integrated and balances approach to drug problem.

“It is the first time Georgia has actively participated at such a high level international event” – said David Otiashvili, the member of the delegation and the head on NGO “Alternative Georgia”.

Georgia also reaffirmed the support for harm reduction by associating themselves with the European Union position delivered on behalf of the Czech Republic. EU made the case for an evidence-based and balanced approach to drug policy, noting that harm reduction measures are crucial in effective response. “This is the sign of the increasing involvement of Georgia in the international events. Today’s speech also is a signal for civil society working in the field in Georgia that government is committed to work and involve NGOs in response to the health and social challenges posed by drugs” – Mr. Otiashvili added.

For more information, please contact David Otiashvili +420733211761, datohupo(at)yahoo.com.