Despite the fact that the level of drug circulation in Armenia is not high, the number of drug users is on rise.

"In 2009 the number of drug addicts in Armenia was 1717, in 2010 it was 2751. The number includes all registered patients. The number of treated patients was 257 in 2009 and 359 in 2010. As seen, there is rise. In 2002 the number of treated patients was 21," says Grigor Malentsyan, Armenian head of the Support to Integrated Border Management Systems in the South Caucasus program.

June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In Grigor Malentsyan's opinion, the number of those who wish to get treated has increased because they have realized that there is no police pressure and the quality of medical service has grown. This is the result of the 2008 changes in the Criminal Code, which decriminalized use of drugs and started to observe drug users not as criminals but as patients. Certainly, the free treatment for citizens was another incentive.

According to Malentsyan, the use of intravenous, inhalation drugs in Armenia is not widespread, still their circulation grows as well. Methamphetamine and amphetamine drugs also penetrate into Armenia. However, they are mainly of transit nature since Armenia is also a transit country, e.g., due to illicit trafficking of drugs imported from Iran to another country.    

In 2009, some 3610 people were registered as intravenous drug users.

"This figure may vary as high as 4000-5000 people. On the whole, there are about 104,000 people in Armenia who have ever tried drugs. It is difficult to call a man who has tried hashish or cannabis only once a drug addict, whereas opium or heroin users can become addicted only after second or third use," Malentsyan says.

As for reintegration of drug users into the society after their treatment, Malentsyan brings the example of European countries where recovered addicts unite and create their communities. Over a period of time, they integrate into the society but in the initial stage they function as a separate cell of the society, creating, e.g. their non-governmental organization which is supported by the state to give their members a chance to start a business, to keep their families etc.     

After the RA President's instruction in September 2009, the RA Government approved the schedule of measures stipulated by "The 2010-2012 Armenia National Program against Drug Addiction and Illicit Drug Trafficking" as well as the agencies responsible for its implementation.

According to the schedule, strengthening of international and interagency cooperation in the field of fight against drug addiction and illicit drug trafficking is a priority objective of the program.

The program also stipulates to study Armenian legislative base and its correspondence to UN conventions, develop appropriate guidelines, carry out research among the population on the spread of drug use and fight against drug addiction among minors.

Sofia Manukyan

Source - www.hra.am