NEW NARCOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT OPENED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR DETAINEES
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14:57:26 – 28/08/2009
Today, within the framework of the 5th phase of the South Caucasus Anti
Drug (SCAD-V) programme, the new Narcological Department was officially
opened at the Hospital for Detainees of the Ministry of Justice of
Republic of Armenia. The department has been established and equipped
with the joint financial support of the SCAD-V programme funded by the
European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in Armenia and the International Committee of Red
Cross (ICRC). The Ministry of Justice has secured the workmanship
and supervision of the implementation of construction works.
The project is aimed to improve the health services, and, particularly,
addiction treatment capacities for inmates. At the same time, it
allows separating patients with tuberculosis from other patients. The
new Narcological Department will create an enabling environment
for inmate drug addicts to receive qualified drug detoxification
treatment. It is also anticipated that the department will provide
methadone substitution treatment along with psycho-social support
to injecting drug user inmates. By the establishment of the new
Narcological Department, the treatment services provided to drug
addicts will be improved and the innovative drug treatment methods
will help to enhance the quality of life of drug addicted inmates. The
project results will also contribute to the risk reduction for such
blood-borne diseases, as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, C and tuberculosis.
Addressing the event, Mr. Dirk Boberg, UNDP Resident Representative
a.i. said, "Drug addiction is a behavioral and mental chronic
disorder which requires continuous care – both in civil society and
in the penitentiary. Treatment of addiction and integration of drug
treatment into public health programs and social services are viewed
as cost-effective means of preventing the spread of problematic drug
use and blood born viruses, like Hepatitis C and HIV. Treating drug
addicts, regardless their civil status, is an investment in the health
of Armenian nation."
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 covers both supply and demand reduction
aspects and facilitates the implementation of drug related components
of the Action Plans of the European Neighborhood Policy.
The SCAD-V also carries out research, baseline studies on drug
epidemiology aimed at the establishment of national drug information
systems, trains treatment professionals on innovative methods
of treatment and harm reduction, enhances regional cooperation
between law-enforcement operational officers, and trains educators,
mass media representatives and NGOs on primary drug prevention
techniques. Provision of technical assistance for detoxification
centers and forensic laboratories is another area of the programme
activity.