Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 Source: Messenger, The (Georgia) Copyright: 2006 The Messenger Contact: http://www.messenger.com.ge/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3587 Author: Tiko Giorgadze Alert: UN Agency Prevaricates http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0331.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/United+Nations Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/World+Drug+Report Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) ANTI DRUG DAY: Drug Addiction Reaches Huge Proportions As Government Cuts Funding for Treatment NGOs believe that there could be as many as 240 000 drug addicts in the country, over 5 percent of the population. The government, having announced a 'zero tolerance' strategy and then retreated a little after realizing what counter-productive effects this measure might have, are still spending virtually nothing on drug treatment. It is with this dire situation in mind that a conference on the painful results of drug addiction was held by the South Caucasus Anti Drug Program (SCAD) on Monday as part of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In 1987 the UN General Assembly named June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen cooperation in the fight against drugs. Every year a special topic for the day is chosen and conferences and seminars are held dedicated to these issues. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has selected 'drugs are not child's play' as the theme of its 2006 international campaign, in an effort to increase public awareness about the destructive power of drugs, and public responsibility to care for the well-being of children. "Parents and teachers should provide information on the health risk linked to drug abuse and should discuss the issue, especially the danger associated with a drug addiction, openly with their children. At the same time teachers and organizations should also contribute to children's safety," Jana Javakhishvili, chair of the SCAD information project told The Messenger. Attending the conference were various local NGOs, representatives of the UNDP and European Commission, the Deputy Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, Nikoloz Pruidze, and the chairman of Parliamentary Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, Gigi Tsereteli. "We should dedicate each day to the problem of drug abuse because it is a dilemma not only for Georgia, but for the whole world. Today we, together with donor organizations, the EU and UNDP, discussed the current situation that exists in Georgia," Tsereteli said after the conference. "SCAD's program has been functioning since 2001. We are supporting the local and central government and appropriate ministries to implement preventive measures to eradicate the problem of drug addiction," Javakhishvili told the Messenger The SCAD program, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP, has technically equipped and given methodological education to the narcotics branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the customs office and border guard services. They have already published two national and one South Caucasus regional drug abuse reports. At the conference it was mentioned that younger and younger people are becoming drug users. Teenagers have begun using marihuana and other more serious and addictive drugs. At the same time the number of girls who are using drugs has been dramatically increasing in Georgia. In an interview with The Messenger Javakhishvili told us that drug abuse is one of the most serious problems for Georgia. Officially there are 24 000 registered drug addicts in the country but the real number is much more, reaching about 240 000-over 5 percent of the population. She said that they are not able to name the precise number because there is no database in the country. "Unfortunately the number of drug addicts has dramatically risen, but no new preventative measures have been implemented to alleviate the problem," Javakhishvili told us. She underlines that if the government does not finance preventative measure and health treatment for drug addicts properly then the problem will only get worse. According to Javakhishvili, at present the government allots GEL 50 000 for drug treatment, three times less than in 2005, though a working group has been set up by the ministry, which has elaborated a 'national anti-drugs strategy'and increased funds for treatment have been promised. Javakhishvili warns, however, that "In reality neither preventative strategies, nor policies, nor treatment programmes exist in the country". - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake