UNODC enhances capacity of law enforcement officials on HIV prevention for people who use New Psychoactive Substances and stimulants

On August 9 in the city of Tashkent and on August 11 in the city of Samarkand, the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia jointly with the Republican AIDS Center conducted a training seminar "New psychoactive substances: new challenges for public health and safety" to raise awareness among law enforcement officials on HIV prevention among people who use new psychoactive substances and stimulants (PWUNPS/S). The training participants were representatives of law enforcement agencies directly involved in measures to counter the spread of HIV infection among key population (KP).

At the beginning of the seminar, the participants were familiarized with the existing challenges in the field of HIV diagnostics, treatment and care among PWUNPS/S, including the risks and complications of their use, both among young people and among representatives of the KP. Information on the prevalence of HIV and drug use both in the world and in Uzbekistan, a brief description of the Darknet platform as a source of distribution of drugs using social networks and messengers, as well as the role of law enforcement officials in safeguarding public health and working with vulnerable community groups with a discussion of ways to effectively strengthen and develop partnerships among organizations involved in the AIDS response were also presented to the participants.

Further, the training participants were informed on the start of the implementation of a web outreach model of referral, developed based on the results of assessing the demands for and accessibility of HIV prevention and treatment services for PWUNPS/S in pilot establishments of Tashkent and Samarkand cities. The main goal of the web outreach model is to improve access to HIV testing and immediate initiation of ARV therapy for PWUNPS/S. Operational issues for the effective implementation of a pilot project with the involvement of partner organizations were also discussed.

Participants took active part in the discussions and shared their experience and advice for meeting the new public health and safety challenges posed by HIV and use of NPS and stimulants. They noted the urgency of the problem raised and expressed their readiness to assist in the implementation of the measures proposed by the UNODC.

This event was part of the UNODC work plan for 2021 aimed at supporting the implementation of the activities of the Comprehensive Action Plan to Combat the Spread of HIV Infection, approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 Article in russian language 

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist 

+996775987817 WhatsApp or Cellphone

vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org