Increased access to quality drug dependency treatment

Total of 630 narcological  service providers will be trained in modern evidence-based comprehensive prevention and treatment approaches in Kazakhstan, 250 specialists in Kyrgyzstan, about 1000 in Tajikistan, 180 in Turkmenistan and 300  service providers in Uzbekistan  within the framework of the global TREATNET II project.

During the last 10 years Central Asian countries have been faced with a high level of drug abuse, including a lack of health care facilities and low capacity of narcological service providers. How  can narcological treatment services in these countries be improved and expanded and how can governments be assisted in re-socializing drug users?

In order to increase access to quality, affordable drug dependence treatment services, UNODC's global project "TREATNET II: Treating drug dependence and its health consequences" was initiated in all Central Asian countries in 2008.

A capacity development grant of 50,000 USD and a service delivery grant of 150,000 USD were given to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

It is expected that, through the capacity development grant, 630 service provi ders will be trained in modern evidence-based comprehensive prevention and treatment approaches in Kazakhstan, 250 in Kyrgyzstan and about 1000 in Tajikistan.

From the service delivery grant it is expected that 2,540 people will be trained in Kazakhstan, 1,800 in Kyrgyzstan and 700 in Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan requested UNODC  to retain control of the financial implementation of their grant proposals.

Recently, a series of individual courses were held in the workplaces and a number of national training sessions on "Drug Dependence Treatment and Care" were conducted in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan for narcologists,  psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and general practitioners on two thematic areas: "Initial Screening, Assessment & Treatment Planning" and "Elements of Psychosocial Treatment".

National TREATNET certified trainers led instruction in their respective areas of expertise. About 180 narcologists will be trained in Turkmenistan and 300 narcological service providers in Uzbekistan.