Tashkent hosted an event on “Cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNODC in the sphere of drug control: current state and prospects of joint work”.

The event was organized within the framework of the 64th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its regional office in Central Asia is Uzbekistan’s main partner in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, as well as supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030.

In addition to “traditional” drugs, the emergence of new types of them, including “designer” drugs and synthetic psychotropic substances, leads to a negative scenario for the development of the situation with the spread of narcotic drugs in Central Asia. The relative availability of synthetic drugs, the complexity of their detection and identification, the variability of types and forms pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of the population, especially young people. The world community is seriously concerned about the proliferation of potent drugs in recent years.

Taking into account the seriousness of the deteriorating drug trafficking situation, the Government of Uzbekistan is taking urgent steps to stabilize it.

A resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On strengthening measures to prevent the illegal circulation of drugs” was adopted on September 6, 2019, to prevent cases of non-medical consumption of potent drugs.

A list of 78 potent substances that are medicines was formed based on the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On the regulation of the circulation of potent substances in the Republic of Uzbekistan” of September 27, 2019.

[gallery-2018]

At the event, detailed information was provided on the activities carried out by the Government of Uzbekistan to combat drug trafficking and related crimes. Reports were heard on the strengthening of the struggle of the State Security Service against transnational drug trafficking, as well as on the activities of the internal affairs bodies of Uzbekistan in this direction.

UNODC Regional Representative to Central Asia, Ashita Mittal, expressing gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan for effective cooperation, noted the need for further strengthening collaboration. Ms. Ashita Mittal dwelled on the issues of close cooperation in solving drug-related problems and choosing the best approaches to combat them.

Information was also provided by the representative of the Government of Tajikistan on the work carried out in the country to combat drugs and crime. The expediency of enhancing cooperation with neighboring countries and UNODC in this direction was noted.

Saidmurod Rakhimov, UzA