The Government approved the Comprehensive Plan for Combating Drug Addiction and Drug Trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023-2025. The document was developed in pursuance of the instructions given by the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his Address to the people of Kazakhstan "A Just State. One nation. A Prosperous Society" dated September 1, 2022, El.kz cites primeminister.kz.
The comprehensive plan was developed on the basis of an analysis of the current drug situation, taking into account the priority measures necessary to effectively combat drug addiction and drug trafficking. Its development takes into account the peculiarities of modern world drug policy, in which the share of new forms of psychoactive substances is increasing, the methods of production, transportation and distribution of drugs are changing, and the achievements of scientific and technological progress (Darknet, instant messengers, crypto wallets, etc.) are being actively introduced.
The document was widely discussed in the expert community and at various discussion platforms. One of its main goals is to consolidate the efforts of society, civil institutions and all public authorities to improve the quality of drug prevention and reduce the number of drug addicts in general.
According to available data, cases of clandestine production of synthetic substances are increasingly detected in the country. The identification of opiates, including those transiting from Afghanistan along the so-called "Northern Route", trafficking in cannabis drugs, as well as "pharmacy" drug addiction remain relevant.
The adopted Plan will make it possible to implement a set of measures in these areas. As a result, by 2025 it is planned to reduce the latency of drug users, increase the number of minors with long-term remission from drug addiction from 15% to 20%, as well as the coverage of drug users with medical and social rehabilitation from 26% to 30%.
The document provides for the improvement of the legislative and regulatory framework, increasing the effectiveness of countering new challenges and threats of modern drug trafficking, strengthening and expanding international cooperation, reducing the level of drug addiction in Kazakhstani society.
Much attention was paid to improving the systems of prevention, treatment of drug addiction, rehabilitation of drug addicts, as well as strengthening interdepartmental cooperation.
A set of measures is envisaged to improve the material and technical equipment of state bodies involved in countering drug addiction and drug trafficking. This will make it possible to respond in a timely manner to new challenges and threats.
Modernization and opening of treatment and rehabilitation centers will be carried out. Measures have been taken to eliminate clandestine drug laboratories and plantations in impassable areas using aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The plan provides for equipping border checkpoints with inspection equipment for the detection of drugs, precursors and equipment for drug laboratories.
At the same time, the material and technical base of forensic examination bodies will be strengthened for the accelerated study of new synthetic drugs, as well as blood samples and other biomaterials to be selected as part of the medical examination of citizens.
For the implementation of these activities, the Comprehensive Plan provides for the allocation of 53.1 billion tenge from the budget.