In 2016, work was continued in the sphere of demand reduction and supply for drugs in accordance with the anti-drug strategy defined by the Program of Comprehensive Measures to Counter Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking for 2016-2020.
Attention was paid to improving the regulatory framework in the field of regulating the turnover of narcotic drugs and providing narcological assistance, improving the material and technical base and human resources of special units of law enforcement agencies and the narcological service.
Counteraction to Illegal Drug Trafficking
As a result of organizational, practical and preventive measures taken, law enforcement agencies of the republic in 2016 revealed 6646 facts of crimes related to drug trafficking (here and in the data in parentheses are data for the same period last year – 6648).
Of the total number of drug crimes detected, 2798 (3017) constitute crimes related to the sale of drugs, 645 (709) with smuggling, 1482 (1301) with illicit cultivation of narcotic plants, 145 (125) containing narcotics and 1576 (1496) – other drug offenses .
3 tons of 542.4 kg (2 tons of 510.1 kg) of narcotic drugs were seized from illegal circulation, including 107.76 (147.92) kg of heroin, 1 ton 446.82 (882.25) kg of opium, 883, 23 (1 t 25.05) kg marijuana, 241.15 (250.21) kg hashish, 862.84 (204.66) kg kuknara, 579.1 (8.6) gr. New psychoactive substances (NIP) and other synthetic drugs, as well as 19 thousand 277 (7 thousand 184) tablets of psychotropic substances.
In 2016, 110 (138) citizens of foreign states were detained for committing crimes related to illegal drug trafficking on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The majority of people are citizens, Afghanistan – 24 (33), Tajikistan – 27 (27) Russia – 19 (24), Kazakhstan – 14 (9), Kyrgyzstan – 9 (8). 340 (364) kg of narcotic drugs were withdrawn or 10% (14.5%) of its total number of drug seizures in the country. In addition, 2461 (1422) tablets of psychotropic substances and 45.8 grams were confiscated. (7800 liters and 89.8 gr.) Of precursors.
For example:
– On January 6, 2016 in the Surkhandarya region, when an attempt was made to illegally cross the state border and smuggle about 30 kg of opium, the citizen of Afghanistan Gulmamat Khudoiberdi Coal (born in 1985) was detained;
– On March 9, 2016 in the Tashkent region, when an attempt was made to illegally cross the state border and smuggle 4 kg of heroin, a citizen of Kyrgyzstan Zh.A. Nazirov (born in 1985) was detained;
– June 12, 2016 during the operational activities in Kokand, Fergana region, detained a Tajik citizen Kh.A. Abidov (born in 1960), who was found and seized about 1 kg of heroin.
In order to identify and suppress the facts of illicit cultivation of narcotic plants and to stop drug supply channels to the republic from neighboring countries, law enforcement authorities carried out a two-stage complex large-scale operation “Black Poppy-2016”.
As a result of organizational and preventive and operational-search activities, 1,070 (1049) facts of illicit cultivation of narcotic plants were identified. Illegal crops with a total area of 4933 (5132) sq. M were destroyed.
In the course of the operation, 2659 (2687) criminal cases related to illicit drug trafficking were instituted, 1 of 321 kg (621 kg) of narcotic drugs was seized, including 3.4 (0.76) kg of heroin, 49.3 (28, 8) kg of opium, 45.9 (8.1) kg of hashish, 462.2 (437.4) kg of marijuana, 760 (145.5) kg of kuknar.
As part of the organization of the month dedicated to the International Day against Drugs on June 26, an event was organized with the invitation of representatives of the diplomatic corps, the public and the media to burn narcotic drugs seized by law enforcement agencies of the republic from illegal traffic. In the stoves one ton of 438 kg of narcotic drugs was destroyed, including 145 kg of heroin, 655 kg of opium, 496 kg of marijuana, 115 kg of hashish, 27 kg of kuknar, and a large quantity of narcotic drugs in the form of tablets and solutions.
Counteraction to new types of psychoactive substances
According to the law enforcement bodies of the republic, in 2016 in Uzbekistan 43 facts of illegal trafficking in new psychoactive substances were revealed, 579.1 gr were seized. Various types of NIP and other synthetic drugs. In some cases, substances that are not included in the list of banned substances in Uzbekistan (ADB-FUBINACA, 5F-PB-22, 5F-PB-22 ethelester analog, 5-Fluoro-AMB, AB-FUBINAСA, MDMB-CHMICA, NM-2201 , UR-144 N- (3-chloropentyl) analog).
Analysis of illicit drug trafficking in Uzbekistan testifies to the absence at present of prerequisites for the mass distribution of NIPs on the territory of the republic, in view of the significant share of Afghan drugs (heroin, opium and hashish) seized from illicit trafficking.
In order to prevent the spread of the NIP in Uzbekistan and to take preventive measures, the interdepartmental Working Group, established on the basis of the National Information and Analytical Center for Drug Control, continued to improve existing legislation in the field of combating illicit drug trafficking. Based on the results of the work, a draft law “On introducing changes and amendments to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was prepared.
According to the data of the Narcological Service of the Ministry of Health for the past 10 years, the Republic of Uzbekistan has seen a positive dynamics of the development of the narcological situation in its main indicators.
Thus, the number of drug addicts who are on dispensary for the period 2007-2016. Decreased from 19868 to 10505.
The number of drug-dependent opium groups – 5420 (2015 – 7977) or 51.6% (60.3%) of the total number of registered persons continued to decrease. Significantly decreased the number of heroin addicts – 4063 (6554) or 38.7% (49.6%).
The incidence of cannabinoid abuse increased to 45.1% (36.9%) of the total number of drug users.
Analysis of the sex and age characteristics of drug addicts indicates an increase in the number of patients aged 40 years and older – 58% (56.1%), the proportion of individuals in the age group 20-39 years – 42% (43.9%).
Decreased the number of drug addicts who injected drugs 1782 (3825) or 17% (28.9%) among the total number registered.
In 2016, there was a decrease in the number of drug addicts who underwent specialized treatment in the narcological institutions of the republic – 2220 (2473).
The proportion of opiate-dependent individuals among patients treated under inpatient conditions decreased – 60.2% (71.4%), with a 23.3% (15%) increase in the proportion of cannabinoid dependent.
According to the data of the Main Bureau of Forensic Medical Examinations, 1 case of an overdose of narcotic drugs was registered in the republic.
Deaths from drug overdose
For the period 2007-2016
Year Overdose of opiates Other overdoses Total number of overdoses
2007 113 16 129
2008 44 16 60
2009 47 7 54
2010 37 1 38
2011 27 10 37
2012 15 0 15
2013 5 0 5
2014 1 2 3
2015 5 2 7
2016 0 1 1
According to the Republican AIDS Center in 2016, 3983 (4,171) of new HIV infections were detected, 209 (260) of them among injecting drug users.
Number of new HIV infections
For the period 2007-2016
Year Number of cases detected Among them injecting drug users Share of injecting drug users (%)
2007 3169 1699 53.6
2008 3404 1158 34.0
2009 4016 577 14.4
2010 3795 600 15.8
2011 3584 465 12.9
2012 3878 398 10.3
2013 4247 413 9.7
2014 4236 306 7.2
2015 4171 260 6.2
2016 3983 209 5.2
Training for the Narcological Service
In order to train personnel in 2016, 126 doctors were trained at the Department of Narcology and Adolescent Psychopathology of the Tashkent Institute for Advanced Training of Physicians (TashIUV): 37 specialists completed their specialization, 44 were trained in psychotherapy and rehabilitation of narcotic patients, and general and thematic improvement in narcology-45.
To improve the quality of narcological care, the staff of the Department of Narcology of TashIUV developed and approved the order of the Ministry of Health of 28.03.2016. №151 “Protocols for the treatment of major narcological diseases at the level of regional narcological offices”.
Also developed, approved and published in the state and Russian language guidelines “Determining the timing of compulsory treatment of patients with alcoholism, drug addiction and substance abuse in specialized treatment and prevention institutions of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, which are common among drug doctors.
The national leadership “The organization of narcological help” was published in the state language, which was transferred to the organizational and methodological departments of narcological dispensaries and distributed to drug treatment doctors of all regions.
Preventive work
In the framework of the primary prevention of drug use by doctors-narcologists of medical and preventive institutions of the republic, 7117 lectures were read in various groups of the population, 2213 seminars were held, 579 exits in the mass media (newspapers, television, radio).
On the website of the Ministry of Health sixat-salomatlik.uz there are articles “Prevention of drug addiction”, “Prevention of drug addiction among adolescents”, “Types of drug abuse prevention”, “Signs of drug addiction”, “Drug addiction as a social problem”.
In the public education system, together with the health authorities, 4,3 thousand lectures on the prevention of drug use, 4,1 thousand on tobacco smoking and 6,000 on alcoholism were conducted.
Within the framework of international cooperation, the Ministry of Public Education carried out work to implement the “Strong Family” program under the UNO GLOK01 project “Prevention of substance abuse, HIV / AIDS and youth crime through family skills training programs”.
The program aims to prevent behavioral problems in adolescence, including substance abuse, as well as strengthening parenting skills and family relationships.
In five pilot schools, selected by the Ministry, national trainers conducted classes with 80 families of students in the 7th grade.
Interim (preliminary) evaluation of the effectiveness of the program, based on the questioning of parents and adolescents before and after participation in the program, showed positive changes in a number of intrafamily and social indicators.
In order to strengthen the role of mahallas in preventive work, issues of crime prevention and drug addiction are included in the thematic plan of training courses for the development of skills of employees of citizens’ self-government bodies at the Tashkent regional khokimiyat.
As part of the implementation of preventive measures on the International Day against Drug Abuse in the regions of the country, theatrical performances, sports competitions, meetings, lectures, question and answer evenings were held.
With the assistance of the regional commissions for drug control in Tashkent, Nukus and regional centers, entertainment and sports performances for young people are organized.
The makhalla guzars, parks of culture and recreation were theatricalized about the problems of drug addiction.
In 474 summer camps, more than 5.4 thousand themed meetings and 526 competitions, as well as 567 sports competitions. Video materials of preventive orientation were shown.
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education jointly with Kamolot ODM carried out competitions in 7 sports under the motto “Youth against drugs”, in which 427,000 young people took part.
A purposeful explanatory and preventive work was conducted with representatives of the Uzbek diaspora, students and migrant workers. With the involvement of the diaspora and student activists, citizens were informed about the legal and medical consequences of illicit drug trafficking and consumption.
The events of the month were widely covered in the mass media. The central channels demonstrated thematic programs (newscasts, talk shows) and social videos. In print media, more than 500 feature articles were published.
The international cooperation
In 2016, under the coordination of the National Information and Analytical Center for Drug Control (NIACCN), work was carried out within the framework of the legal framework for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of drug control.
Measures have been taken to further strengthen the material and technical base of the competent bodies of the republic within the framework of the implementation of the Amendments to the Uzbek-American Intergovernmental Agreement on Drug Control and Enforcement of 2001.
With the assistance of the Italian Embassy in Uzbekistan and the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia on April 11-15, 2016, In Tashkent organized a training course “Struggle against drugs in the Internet space” for representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Customs Committee of the Republic.
In order to establish a practical mechanism for the exchange of operationally meaningful information between law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan and Slovakia in the sphere of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and strengthening control over precursors, an agreement was signed between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Slovak Republic on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs Means, psychotropic substances and their precursors (signed on September 20, 2016 in Tashkent).
In accordance with the Agreement on Cooperation between NIACCN and the Representative Office of the Foundation. K.Adenauer in Uzbekistan in August and September 2016g. Training events in Italy and Germany on the topic “German-Central Asian Dialogue on Security Policy and the Fight Against Organized Crime” were held.
Besides, together with the Foundation and the Ministry of Public Education, warning and prevention booklets have been published and disseminated in general education schools in order to raise students’ awareness of the risks and negative consequences of drug addiction.
Within the framework of Uzbekistan’s chairmanship of the SCO in February, March and April 2016, Meetings of the Working Groups of Experts of the Meeting of Heads of Competent Authorities of the SCO Member States with powers to combat illicit drug trafficking were organized in Beijing.
During these expert meetings, the drafts of the SCO’s Antinarcotics Strategy for 2017-2022 and the Program of Action for its implementation prepared by the Uzbek side were prepared for signing.
In the line of interaction with CARICC, the director and head of the international department of NIACCN, on March 30, 2016, In Almaty took part in the meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of the CARICC Member States, during which the current issues of organization of the Center’s activities were considered.
In order to increase the material and technical and expert potential of the competent ministries and departments of the country, a number of international projects of the UNODC and the OSCE have been implemented aimed at countering illicit drug trafficking and preventing their abuse.
Law enforcement agencies and other agencies have been provided with technical equipment and equipment worth over US $ 200,000 in the course of the UNODC project “Combating illicit trafficking of Afghan opiates through the northern route by strengthening the capacity of key border points and establishing border cooperation offices” – HAS / K22 and the “Global Program of UNODC and the World Customs Organization for the Control of Container Transportation” – GLOG-80.
In 2016 In cooperation with the UNODC and the Embassy of Japan, the implementation of the new project “Combating the smuggling of Afghan drugs in Uzbekistan through the creation of interagency mobile groups” was developed in the framework of the UNODC’s Central Asia Program for 2015-2019. With a budget of $ 2.5 million.
Training courses, seminars and trainings were organized in the framework of projects for the improvement of the qualification of the staff of the authorized bodies of Uzbekistan. In 2016, 204 employees of relevant ministries and departments of the republic took part in trainings, courses and seminars on combating illicit drug trafficking, drug prevention and treatment.
National Center for Drug Control
Under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan