Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries (UNODC)

The 4th consultative meeting of the regional network for DDR coordination centres held on 9-10 October 2019, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

09-10 October-Tashkent, supporting the countries of West and Central Asia to develop evidence-based programmes in the area of the drug dependence prevention, treatment and HIV care services, the 4 th consultative meeting of the regional network for DDR coordination centers was held on 9-10 October 2019 by the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries in the frame work of Sub-Programme 3.

During the 2-day meeting, drug treatment professionals from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed at length the evolving patterns of drug abuse in their countries, the challenges they were facing, and good practices in prevention, treatment and care of people with drug use disorders.

The meeting this year was hosted by the Republican Drug Treatment Centre of Uzbekistan. There was an opportunity for many presentations of work conducted in Uzbekistan and drug dependence treatment professionals from the Republican Drug Treatment Centre, Tashkent Drug Treatment Centre, and Tashkent Advanced Training Institute for Medical Doctors shared comprehensive information on: integrated drug treatment patterns and use in Uzbekistan; medical and social rehabilitation programmes at the Republican Drug Treatment Center; the structure and perspective of drug treatment services in Uzbekistan; the results of research conducted on the use of antagonists of opiate receptors for treatment of opioid and alcohol dependency; and research conducted on risky behaviors of opioid drug users.

A list of recommendations aiming to strengthen the intra-regional coordination and collaboration was endorsed by participants.

The participants had the opportunity to visit the Republican Drug Treatment Centre and Tashkent Drug Treatment Centre.

Thanks to the Government of Finland for supporting the activity.