EU AND UNDP SUPPORT IN ESTABLISHMENT OF DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
27.04.2009 14:47

Today, within the framework of the 5th phase of the South Caucasus Anti
Drug (SCAD) programme, Drug Rehabilitation Center at the Narcological
Clinic of Psychiatric Medical Center of the Ministry of Health was
officially opened. The Center has been renovated and furnished and
equipped with the financial support of the SCAD-V programme, which
is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia.

The Center will create an enabling environment for drug addicts
to receive after-treatment psycho-social and legal support. It is
anticipated that the Center will provide both individual and group
counseling to marginalized patients, such as injecting drug users. The
resource center and the library are other opportunities open to the
patients receiving their treatment at the Narcological Clinic.

Addressing the event, Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP
Resident Representative said, "Drug addiction is an illness that can
be prevented and treated. Early detection, greater prevention efforts,
better treatment of addiction, and integration of drug treatment into
public health and social services programs, can free people from the
nightmare of addiction. Treating those who suffer from drugs is an
investment in the health of Armenian nation as much as treating HIV,
diabetes, hepatitis or Tuberculosis".

Establishment of this Center is another step of cooperation and
partnership between the UNDP in Armenia, the EU and the Ministry of
Health. In 2006, SCAD Programme, phase IV assisted in creation of
Drug Detoxification Center at the Narcological Clinic, which currently
provides drug-free detoxification treatment to opioids addicted people.

The overall objective of the SCAD-V programme is the gradual adoption
by South Caucasus beneficiary authorities of EU good practices in
the field of drug policies. From 2007-09, the SCAD programme has
encouraged the Governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to
adopt EU good practices in five key areas: legal assistance, drug
epidemiology/information, prevention of drug use, treatment for drug
addicts, and reinforcement of regional law-enforcement cooperation. The
programme will cover both supply and demand reduction aspects and
will facilitate the implementation of drug related components of the
Action Plans of the European Neighborhood Policy.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress