5th PHASE OF SCAD PROGRAM STARTS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The 5th phase of the South Caucasus
Anti Drug (SCAD) program, which is being funded by the European Union
and implemented by the UN Development Program (UNDP), was launched
in Armenia.

The UN Coordinator in Armenia, Resident Representative of the UNDP to
Armenia Ms. Consuelo Vidal stated at the December 3 press confernce
that the goal of SCAD is the gradual adoption by South Caucasus
beneficiary authorities of EU good practices in the field of drug
policies. According to her, measures will be taken under the SCAD
program to reduce both supply and demand for drugs.

The program head in Armenia Grogor Malintsian stated that the 5th
phase of the program will be implemented in Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia in 2007-2009. The overall budget of this phase for the
three countries makes 2 mln 90 thousand euros, 631 thousand euros
of which will be allocated to Armenia. In particular, national
strategic documents on drug policies will be developed and adopted,
and the national legislative field on drug control will be brought
into line with international standards. Besides, it is envisaged to
create a state body providing information on drugs and to provide
medical and rehabilitation services to drug-addicts in places of
imprisonment. Research work and epidemiological studies related to
drugs will be also done under the SCAD program.