UNODC Launches Computer Based Training Facility And Hands Over Vehicles to the State Service on Drug Control of the Kyrgyz Republic

Bishkek. On 16 November 2012, the UNODC Programme Office in Kyrgyzstan handed over nine off-road vehicles to the State Service on Drug Control of the Kyrgyz Republic (SSDC) and launched a Computer Based Training (CBT) facility at the SSDC's Headquarters in Bishkek.

This technical assistance was provided in the framework of the UNODC project KGZ/K50 "Strengthening the State Service on Drug Control of the Kyrgyz Republic". The off-road vehicles will serve to strengthen the SSDC's operational capacity in the southern Kyrgyzstan.

The CBT facility is aimed at implementing self-sustaining computer-based law enforcement training programmes, creating a flexible and innovative method to deliver training to law enforcement personnel, to effectively counter drug trafficking, money laundering and related cross-border criminal activities. In total two CBT classrooms, in Bishkek and at the SSDC's Southern Department in Osh, have been established and equipped with interactive learning software this year.

The official hand-over ceremony took place at the premises of the SSDC in Bishkek in the presence of Government officials, donor country representatives from the Russian Federation, the United States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan, the UN Resident Coordinator and representatives of other international organizations and NGOs.

During the ceremony General Alimbai Alimbekovich Sultanov, Chairman of the State Service on Drug Control of the Kyrgyz Republic, said: "We express our gratitude to UNODC and particularly the donor-countries for the substantive assistance provided. I assure you that this will enable the SSDC to fight against drug trafficking more effectively".

Head of UNODC Programme office, Mr. Alexander Fedulov, added: "Today's support to the State Service is a result of our fruitful cooperation and effective partnership between UNODC and the donors. UNODC will continue to provide comprehensive support to enhance Kyrgyzstan's anti-drug potential. This will include technical support and human capacity building".