Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Two experts from Austria and Germany conducted a two-day training workshop for seventeen narcolgists from the State Penitentiary Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs from Buhara, Navoi, Kashkadarya and Tashkent provinces. The representative of the National Information Analytical Centre on Drug Control (NCDC) under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan also took part in the training.

The training focused on the harm reduction practices – a human rights approach and prevention of HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis in prisons. The participants discussed the national and international experience in the needle exchange programmes, psychoactive drugs and drug dependency. As a result of the training, the participants worked in groups and commonly produced a “Road Map” of further development of healthcare options for drug dependent prisoners.

A working group of 10-15 experts in the field of substance abuse and social work participated in the CADAP trainings. These trainings were conducted in Central Asian countries to improve the quality standards of medical services rendered for problem drug users.

In Uzbekistan, during the current stage of CADAP more than 185 national experts from NCDC, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education, Ministry of Public Education, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Prosecutor’s office, Supreme Court, Custom’s Committee, doctors, narcologists, criminalists, psychologists, analysts, social workers, representatives of local-self-government bodies “Mahalla”, “Kamolot”, Women’s committee, and journalists took part in them.

CADAP purchased 2 haematology analysers for 25.000 Euro that were installed in narcological dispensaries in Tashkent and Bukhara. 38 representatives of local self-government bodies (Mahallas) were trained in drug prevention and 300 adolescents were reached by prevention activities in 2 provinces including Tashkent (Yangiyul and Parkent) and Syrdarya (Gulistan).

All CADAP’s activities focus both on national and regional capacity building, by providing policy advice and technical assistance, monitoring of the drugs situation, prevention, drug treatment and harm reduction services.

CADAP 6 represents continuity of the EU policy and long-term engagement with Central Asian partners to help further strengthen their national strategies in drug and drug demand reduction policies. The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Consortium from the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland and Germany, led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.