Uzbekistan is taking ownership of scaling up and ensuring the sustainability of the "Families and Schools Together" programme implemented by UNODC

The meeting of the State Commission on Drug Control chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, held in January 2016, approved the incorporation of  the "Families and Schools Together (FAST)" programme into the country's education system.

The UNODC's interventions in the field of drug use prevention, HIV/AIDS as well as crime and delinquency among young people,  were joint activities between the UNODC project "Prevention of drug use, HIV/AIDS and crime among young people through family skills training programmes in low- and middle-income countries" and the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries.

FAST is an award-winning early-intervention programme, which brings parents, children, teachers and the wider community together, to make sure children get the support they need to fulfil their potential at school - and in life. Primary School FAST for children of 7-9 years is an eight week, evidence based, multi-family group programme that supports families by: helping children improve their skills in reading, writing and mathematics - as well as encouraging good behaviour and a positive attitude to school and learning; helping parents get more involved in their child's education, so they can support learning and development at home; encouraging stronger bonds between parents and their child, their child's school, as well as other parents and the wider community.

Since 2013, the FAST programme has been successfully implemented in 20 schools of Uzbekistan. 159 teachers, school phycologists, parents and community leaders have been trained on the implementation of the FAST program, with 3 of them becoming trainers. In total, over 400 families benefited from the programme.

In 2015, the culturally adapted FAST programme was scaled up in three regions of Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Samarqand and Namangan). The Family Skills Training Program Resource Centre was established in Tashkent, and is aimed at implementing, scaling up and monitoring activities related to showcasing the benefits of the family skills training programmes to interested organizations.  "In our country, the family, community and educational institutions are three pillars that insure life sustainability of children" said Mr. Abdugani  Kholbekov, Deputy Minister of Public education of Uzbekistan. "In this regard I would say that family skills training programme is enriching the public education system and helping prevent pupils from risky behaviour".