Treatment of Children with Drug Use Problems with special attention to synthetic drugs
Tajikistan, 18-20 November 2019. In recognition of
Universal Children's Day (20 November), and with the aim of supporting the
Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 3.5, the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries under Sub-Programme 3 convened a 3-day training workshop on "Treatment of Children with Drug Use Problems with special attention to synthetic drugs" highlighting the importance of introducing scientific evidence-based interventions on drug dependence prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
The event built upon another regional training workshop held in Almaty, Kazakhstan in May 2016 paying attention to the changing and evolving drug situation, notably the increase in NPS and synthetic drugs in the region. It sought to: build the capacity of health care practitioners to provide a full range of services for children challenged by illicit drugs; engage all parties that are involved with, or touch the lives of children in a conversation about screening and referral to appropriate services; and, address a regional response to the use of synthetic stimulants, including ATS and NPS besides other kinds of emerging illicit drugs among youth.
During the 3-day training session, 20 professionals from Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan enhanced their knowledge on treatment of children with drug use.
Dr. Elizabeth Mattfeld ,Project Coordinator from the UNODC Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, discussed standards, policies and interventions that are efficacious in the treatment of children with illicit drug/ other psychoactive substance use problems. Dr. Alexey Nadezhdin a Russian researcher from Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Narcology of the Department of Public Health also presented the drug use and treatment approaches among adolescents in Russia.
The workshop was successful in both, bringing new insights to improve the condition and the position of children with drug use problems and providing a platform to share and exchange the experiences among the participants.
Thanks to the Government of Russian Federation for supporting this activity.