Reduce the Influence of Drugs

2011 was a year of developments in Turkmenistan, in regards to UNODC initiatives. The year featured a number of national events, including a celebration and recognition of World AIDS day, a national briefing session on the Commission of Narcotic Drugs, and a presentation of UN operations at the nation's Foreign Relations Institute. Each of these prestigious and important occasions highlighted UNODC's  work in the nation, in reducing the influence of narcotics and HIV/AIDS.

Addressing a global epidemic on a local scale

In order to raise awareness of HIV /AIDS in Turkmenistan, UNODC conducted a World AIDS Day campaign in the nation on the 1 st of December.  Developed by national stakeholders throughout the five regions of Turkmenistan, this campaign worked to improve local knowledge of the often-misunderstood conditions, while ensuring that individuals living with HIV or AIDS are not socially excluded.

D ue to the area's high prevalence of drug users, UNODC offered particular support to Turkmenistan's Ahal region. Based in the Ahal AIDS center, the regional campaign developed a series of activities targeting students, young adults, drug users and uniformed staff. The campaign was launched at the stadium in Abadan city, where almost every family is influenced by drug abuse. This event was attended by 500 students, adolescents and representatives of vulnerable groups.

In addition to participating in music, dance, painting, chess and sports tournaments, the event's participants also learnt about HIV from groups of consultants and volunteers,  stationed at the local drop-in centre and supported by UNODC and UNAIDS.

Briefing on the commission of narcotic drugs

In addition to grassroots work like the Worlds AIDS Day campaign, UNODC has also made important steps with government partners. An example of this work was the UNODC briefing session regarding the Commission of Narcotic Drugs (CND) from 2012 to 2015, of which Turkmenistan had just become a member.

Conducted on the 19 th of October with the support on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the briefing session was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, in addition to the State Drug Control Agency, the State Customs Service, the State Migration Service, the State Border Guards, the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor Office, the nation's parliament and UNODC.