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Drug problem of Southern Caucasus countries

Azerbaijan

NATIONAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE DRUGS PROBLEM IN AZERBAIJAN 2004

The region is located on the main roads of the transit of narcotic drugs. One of these roads comes from Central Asia to Azerbaijan through the Caspian, expands to Armenia through the occupied lands of Garabagh, and then finishes with Europe. The second road is the one that passes across Iran territory, which is the route of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Black Sea-European countries.

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Armenia

As a Caucasian crossroads between Europe and Asia, Armenia has the potential to become a transit point for international drug trafficking. At present, limited transport traffic between the country and its neighboring states makes Armenia a secondary traffic route for drugs.

Azerbaijan

NATIONAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE DRUGS PROBLEM IN AZERBAIJAN 2004

DRUG USE AMONG POPULATION (EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION)

Overview

To assess the epidemiological situation in Azerbaijan Republic in 2004 basically official statistical information, leading experts’ opinions and the results of two research done in 2003 were used.

In 2003, two very significant drugs related epidemiological surveys were done. The epidemiological analysis in this report is based upon the results of these surveys. Because the information received from official sources does not facilitate full and thorough analysis of drug related behavior models, the status concerning social, demographical, economical, aspects of drug use. Official Statistical Registry does not make observation of certain data and indicators in accordance with european standards in order to analyze epidemiological status. For instance, data received from Health and Internal Affairs Ministries do not reflect information on in which social surroundings drugs are consumed or reasons thereof. In order to take these parameters into account when assessing the epidemiological status, the results of epidemiological surveys and researches are referred to.

In accordance with the standards of European Monitoring Center on Drugs (ЕМCCDA), in 2003, one such general population epidemiological survey was held with SCAD’s financial support and another special survey within the Harm Reduction Program was held among injecting drug users with SOROS’ financial support. However, because these surveys do not cover the whole territory of the country they do not lay the foundation for precise assessment of the abovementioned epidemiological parameters concerning drug consumption. But they do allow us to picture the general epidemiological situation in the republic.

National Monitoring Center on Drugs held the first large epidemiological survey within SСAD Program according to ЕМCCDА standards among general population. It was the first time in Azerbaijan a survey of such a scope in the area of use of different psychoactive substances was held. Also for the first time a survey method taking into account EMCCDA standards and the local environment was prepared and employed.

The survey was held among permanent and temporary residents of Baku city and its suburbs, as well as the population of Lenkoran region of Azerbaijan Republic. The research was done among different layers of populaiton between 15 - 64 years old. The review was held among 2 000 residents in the age limit of 15-64.

The other special epidemiological research with the financial support of SOROS foundation was held among injecting drug addicts by “Anti-Narcotism” International Scientific-Research Center together with Azerbaijan Health Association (NGO) in the second half of 2003 in the framework of Program “Harm Reduction ”. The research is officially called “prompt assessment and response” .

The main sources of information-gathering on the current status were the State Statistics Committee, State Drug Control Commission, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Center for AIDS Control, Mass Media (newspapers and magazines) and etc.

Drug Use Among General Population

Based on the results of the general population survey, out of 2000 respondents 32.7 percent specified that they consumed tobacco products, 33.1 percent toxic, 26.9 percent psychoactive substances, 54.1 percent high grade alcoholic drinks and 21.1 percent drugs.

Table No.03 Use of Psychoactive Substances

The frequencies of use of different psychoactive substances differ from each other. 53 percent of 422 Drug using respondents (21.1 percent) do it occasionally (from time to time, a few times a year or once a month). 47 percent of those respondents consume drugs regularly. 12 percent of them consume drugs daily. The largest age group of users is 17-34. Based on the results of the survey 36 percent of drug users are employed, 40 percent unemployed, 19 percent students, 5 percent are the students of senior classes of middle schools (lysees, gymnasiums, etc.). More than half of the participants – 54 percent were single, 31 percent married, 4 percent lived in civil marriage, 7 percent divorced, and another 4 percent were alone persons. Among women, the number of single, divorced, and lone persons was more than those of men. Attraction to drug use for the first time basically happens in the age limit of 16-24. However in some regions of the republic this age limit has gone down to 14-16.

Table No.04 The Age Groups of Drug Using Respondents

The absolute majority of first time use starts from cannabioids, opiates (cokenard, opium, and heroin) follow them. According to official sources the number incidents of first time use with consumption of opiates in 2004 slightly increased compare to 2003 when the survey was held. Users out of rather small group, especially in big cities, start for the first time from stimulants, amphetamines and other drugs.

Reasons Stimulating Use of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

The most popular answer – 42 percent when asked of the reasons stimulating the first time drug use was “for the interest”, others – 22 percent answered “to have fun”, 10 percent – “others provoked or pressured”, 9 percent – “to leave problems”, 5 percent – “to alleviate nervousness and stress”, 4 percent – “because of having nothing to do or no job”, 3 percent – “for self-affirmation”, 5 percent had difficulty to answer. The most used by drug users are opiates – 66 percent (medical and non-medical), and then follow cannaboids – 7 percent (marijuana, hashish), cocaine – 3 percent, amphetamine – 2 percent and stimulants – 2 percent.

Accordingly the most prevalent method among respondents is “sniffing” (39 percent of respondents). The relative number of injecting drug users equals to 17%, intranasal introduction to 15%, and oral introduction (opiates in that number) to 12%. The relative number of persons using different drugs and different methods to introduce them is 17%.

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www.scad-az.org - UNDP anti-drug program in Azerbaijan