YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The 5th phase of the South Caucasus Anti Drug (SCAD) program, which is being funded by the European Union and implemented by the UN Development Program (UNDP), was launched in Armenia. The UN Coordinator in Armenia, Resident Representative of the UNDP to Armenia Ms. Consuelo Vidal stated at the December 3 press confernce that the goal of SCAD is the gradual adoption by South Caucasus beneficiary authorities of EU good practices in the field of drug policies. According to her, measures will be taken under the SCAD program to reduce both supply and demand for drugs. The program head in Armenia Grogor Malintsian stated that the 5th phase of the program will be implemented in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in 2007-2009. The overall budget of this phase for the three countries makes 2 mln 90 thousand euros, 631 thousand euros of which will be allocated to Armenia. In particular, national strategic documents on drug policies will be developed and adopted, and the national legislative field on drug control will be brought into line with international standards. Besides, it is envisaged to create a state body providing information on drugs and to provide medical and rehabilitation services to drug-addicts in places of imprisonment. Research work and epidemiological studies related to drugs will be also done under the SCAD program.

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