The EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme, 7^th Phase (CADAP 7) conducted a National dialogue on drug policy to enhance interaction between state institutions and civil society to exchange good practices regional and international) and to discuss the drug situation and development on trends and responses including drug supply and demand reduction. The event has been conducted in hybrid format in Tashkent on May 11, 2023. The action’s main stakeholders were convened to the event, including the EU delegation to Uzbekistan, the Government partners, international organisations and NGO`s – National Information Analytical Center on Drug Control of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Republican specialized scientific and practical medical center of Narcology, Neighborhood Uzbekistan Charity public fund, NGO “INTILISH”, UNODC.

In his welcoming remarks Mr. Alessandro Liamine, representative of EU delegation to Uzbekistan, emphasized that the meeting is an important milestone in shared efforts to develop and implement evidence-based drug policies in the country, and to ensure that these policies prioritize public health concerns and human rights.

Ms. Shahlo Aripova, representative of the National Information Analytical Center on Drug Control of the Republic of Uzbekistan highlighted that the fact of discussion on the comprehensive, scientifically based and balanced drug policy as one of the components of the Program is another evidence of the strengthened potential of the Central Asian countries in combating the illegal drug trade, improving national drug policy and legislation based on international standards.

“ Result 1 of CADAP 7  – Drug Policy is aimed on enhancing the incorporation of an evidence-based approach and mainstream the Agenda 2030 into national and regional drug policies. CADAP continues the process of developing National and Regional Roadmaps to strengthen key items on national policy, monitoring, prevention and treatment. The institutionalization of good practices of key items of drug policy, monitoring, prevention and treatment requires detailed overview of national and regional drug policy papers. That’s why we promote  Drug Policy Dialogs on National and Regional levels, which creates excellent platform for wide participation of all stakeholders”, says Ernest Robello, CADAP 7 Director.

It should be noted that a wide range of activities are being planned for Uzbekistan for 2023, among which are – the development of a roadmap on drug control, production and dissemination of targeted studies upon the request of national partners, development of preventive and treatment programmes in accordance with European standards, expert meetings and internships at European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addictions (EMCDDA), field visit to Spain.

More information about CADAP, its activities and results achieved is available at: http://www.eu-cadap.org