Drug use prevention and drug dependence treatment and care

 

Europe has an estimated 3.4-4.0 million opiate users from which 2.21-2.53 million consumers (0.8-0.9%) in Eastern and South Eastern Europe. Considering the estimated number of drug users and the adverse social and health consequences that this bears on the individual, family and the community, there has been an urgent need for provision of quality and accessible services for drug users. This includes establishment of a wide variety of services taking in to account the different needs of target groups. Quality drug treatment and rehabilitation services will contribute to reducing the demand for illicit drugs, HIV transmission amongst drug users, drug related crime, incarceration and recidivism. Very often individuals affected by drug dependence, psychiatric disorders and HIV are concentrated in prison settings, usually in destitute condition, excluded from real opportunities for rehabilitation and treatment. This population of inmates is easily relapsing in substance abuse after release from prison with further engagement in criminal activities and unprotected sex. This translates into a heavy cost for society as well as risk for public health and security.

 

 

In order to facilitate the development of common regional health-care standards of drug treatment and reintegration, the UNODC Programme will be oriented towards the implementation of international standards in the area of drug treatments.

UNODC will support the development of a regional model for multidisciplinary drug dependence treatment services in penitentiaries by training professional prison staff and social workers from various disciplines in applying evidence-based practices.

 

 

 

Ongoing Projects