The OSCE and DCA conduct drug prevention campaign

From 1 to 16 August 2013 the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan has conducted the Drug Prevention Campaign in the framework of the project "Implementation of precautionary and preventive anti-drug and sport events", which has been funded by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan since 2008.

The purpose of the event is to reduce the scale of drug proliferation, crime and delinquency related to it through the implementation of activities of the Unified State Target Program on drug prevention and combating illicit drug trafficking in Tajikistan for 2012-2020, in terms of mobilization of various groups of population for the prevention of drug substances addictiveness, for promotion of healthy lifestyle and fight against drug trafficking.

There was prevention, advocacy and awareness raising campaign conducted among the residents of such districts of Khatlon region as Shurobod, Khovaling Baljuvon, Panj and Shaartuz to attract the attention of the local population to the problem of drug abuse, mobilizing them to prevent drug addiction.

The efforts and resources of the Drug Control Agency (DCA) under the President of Tajikistan, as well as the representatives of the society were used for the implementation of the project concept. The project activity management was implemented by the main staff of the DCA. There were also the representatives from cultural, social and creative groups of the country teams as a part of advocacy team. The OSCE Office in Tajikistan has funded the slogans and banners for decoration of stages and other venues of the drug prevention campaign.

Previously printed information leaflets and booklets on drug prevention were distributed amongst the participants of the campaign. The prizes were purchased to encourage the active participants and winners of sports competitions.

The residents of the abovementioned region that attended the event - more than 5,500 people have received an information about the harmful effects of illicit drug trafficking and its abuse, as well as the services available in the area of prevention, drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation of drug users through the printed materials.

The organizers of anti-drug campaign have acquired new information on the drug situation, enriched their experience in the field of preventive and prophylactic measures, have improved the level of cooperation and interaction with the local authorities.The ongoing event was attended by the heads of local state executive bodies of Khatlon region.

Similar events were held earlier in the Khorog city, Ishkoshim and Darvoz districts, and also Shaartuz and Districts under republican subordination to cover as many respondents as possible all over the country.

The winners were awarded prizes and medals during the sport events on arm wrestling.

The leaflets and booklets containing anti-drug information were distributed among the participants. Each event was decorated with banners having anti-drug direction and covered by the media.