Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001
Source: Times of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan)
Copyright: 2001 The Times of Central Asia
Section: Uzbekistan
Contact:  http://www.times.kg/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1202
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women)

DRUG ADDICTION INCREASES IN EASTERN UZBEKISTAN

TASHKENT. Drug addiction is rife in the eastern Uzbek town of Fergana, 
especially among teenagers.

Drugs-related crimes have been registered in 36 of the 54 neighborhoods in 
the town. Over the past five years, the number of people selling and taking 
heroin and marijuana increased eight-or tenfold.

More and more women are getting involved in drug dealing. In the town of 
Fergana alone, criminal proceedings have been instituted against 16 women 
on charges of selling, possessing and taking drugs, since the beginning of 
2000. In all 140 women have been registered by a rehabilitation center for 
drug addicts.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager