Strengthening of the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime

  

Turkey and its neighbouring countries form the geographic region that is the world's most affected by illicit trafficking of opiates and related problems. South-West Asian heroin of, mainly, Afghanistan origin is trafficked westwards to European consumer markets and it is estimated that a considerable percentage of the heroin available in Europe has been transiting Turkey. Precursor chemicals from mainly Western countries are trafficked eastwards, and find their ways into clandestine laboratories in the region. Over the last years, Turkey has shown impressive results in the interdiction of illicit drug trafficking, and has introduced new legislation and operational structures against drug related organized crime and money-laundering. Against this background, and in order to support the still developing drug control and law enforcement efforts of neighbouring countries, particularly those of CIS countries, the Government of Turkey has been training officials from the region in drug control matters as of the early nineties.

Now, the Turkish Government is setting up an International Academy Against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) that is to benefit national inter-agency training, as well as regional training and cooperation. The current project, implemented in 3 phases, will provide resources, new training techniques, methodologies and advice to turn this Academy into a regional resource centre and consultation forum for drug related issues.

During project phase 1 (August 2000 - June 2001), the Academy has developed its training facilities, managerial and teaching structures, and has delivered several training courses for trainees from Turkey, ECO and Black Sea countries. Regional and National Advisory Boards have been set up, and a training needs assessment in the region has been started. During phases 2 and 3, activities will focus on the introduction of computer-based training at TADOC and in Learning Resource Centres in various cities of Turkey, as well as spreading this new training technique to other countries of the region though TADOC. In addition, national and regional training activities will continue, and standard-training syllabi of the Academy will be finalized.

The project revision proposes to extend project activities as a response to meet the growing demand for CBT products and support the development of a new on-line training capability. Additionally to promote regional training activities, TADOC build Mobile Training teams developed in response to constantly increasing demand from Balkan Countries. The activities are in line with the project document and at the request of the TADOC to support their efforts to address combat drug trafficking and organised crime.