The European Union supports the counter-narcotics policy of Turkmenistan

16.12.2019

The Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan supported the event of ceremonial destruction of seized narcotics and illegal substances held near the village of Bagabat, Ak Bugdai etrap, Ahal Region of Turkmenistan on 14 December 2019.

The ceremonial destruction of seized narcotics and illegal substances was organized by the Ministry of Interior and the State Coordination Commission on Combating Drug Addiction under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, with support of the representatives of international partners accredited in Turkmenistan, including the Delegation of the European Union.

The non-resident Head of the Delegation, the EU Ambassador Ch. Berger highlighted in his remarks at the event: "Today’s destruction of confiscated narcotics and illegal substances indicates the resolution of Turkmenistan's authorities to completely eliminate the problem of drug addiction and drug trafficking in this country. The European Union has been engaged with Turkmenistan and other Central Asian partners in support of further strengthening their national strategies in drug supply and drug demand reduction policies since 2009 through the EU funded Central Asia Drug Action Program, or CADAP.  In parallel, the other EU-funded global program EU-ACT, earlier known as Heroin Route focuses on the organised crime and trafficking side of the drugs problem".

 

Since 2015, CADAP has been in its sixth phase of implementation with contribution of EUR 6.5 million focusing on:

  1. Assisting the Central Asian countries with the review of old and drafting of new National Drugs Strategies, action plans and drug legislation pieces;
  2. Supporting better data collection and data-supported decision and policy making;
  3. Supporting CA countries in developing prevention programmes and actions;
  4. And developing treatment and harm reduction programmes and actions.

Concrete achievements of CADAP include:

  1. Establishment of a regular monitoring system of drug situation through the national observatories on drugs,
  2. Introduction of modern drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation methods within the public health system and the penitentiary system,
  3. Increased awareness and prevention of drug abuse among the population through school-based prevention programmes and campaigns,
  4. And finally, creation of a cadre of trained professionals, the human capital, promoting policy development – balancing supply and demand, and also generating a general understanding of problem drug use as a public health issue.

While the current phase of CAPAD will end in the first half of 2020, the next, 4.5 year-long phase 7 of the programme will start in course of 2020. This new CADAP phase will continue strengthening the capacity of the five Central Asian countries in dealing with drug policy and drug demand reduction issues in a comprehensive, integrative and sustainable manner.  While keeping the current main components of the program, it will additionally focus on new psychoactive substances, HIV, migration and consumption of drugs.

The EU’s long term commitment to continue its cooperation with Central Asian countries on drug related issues was re-confirmed in the new EU strategy for Central Asia, adopted in June 2019. Through this new strategy, the EU will continue its support of a close cooperation with all countries of the region on the development of balanced and integrated drug policies, including the improvement of the legal framework.