The International Day against Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking

Each year, on 26 June, the world marks the International Day against Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking. Nearly 10 years ago, the General Assembly adopted a political declaration on the global drug problem that said the following in its initial statement:
“Drugs destroy lives and communities, undermine sustainable human development and generate crime. Drugs affect all sectors of society in all countries; in particular, drug abuse affects the freedom and development of young people, the world's most valuable asset.”

 Drug abuse and HIV/AIDS are interrelated problems. In Azerbaijan, concentrated HIV epidemics are driven predominately by unsafe injecting practices widespread among drug users.  In average about 60% of HIV transmissions are attributed to drug injections performed by contaminated equipment. Government, NGOs, the private sector, mass media, and international institutions have the power to prevent or mitigate social-medical consequences of   drug use including spread of HIV infection through mobilization of national recourses and strengthening partnerships in the country.

Government of Azerbaijanjointly with UNODC has been implementing a project on HIV/AIDS prevention among injecting drug users and prisoners. One of main aims of this project is to create a favorable legal and social environment for improving access of injecting drug users and prison inmates to HIV prevention and care services. The project also supports efforts of civil society in this regard.

The conference on Drugs and HIV devoted to the International Day against Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking has been organized jointly by Azerbaijan Government and UNODC. It took place on 25 June, 2008,   from 13:00 to 16:00 hours at the Crown Hotel located on 7 Neftchi Gurban Abbasov str.,Neftchilerpr. 33.

This event was organized to raise public awareness of the necessity of a comprehensive approach in drug policy  so that drug users  would be guaranteed the access to health services including the services for HIV prevention and treatment   thus ensuring the fulfilment by the state of  rights  to  health for all as well as community mobilization and public awareness campaign on   prevention of HIV/AIDS among general population with special focus IDUs and prisoners. It has been appealed to authorities, official bodies, governmental and nongovernmental organization to facilitate the HIV prevention issues in civil society and promoting these principles for effective implementation. Event has been aligned with human rights based approaches and contributes to diminution of stigma and discrimination to IDUs and PLWHA. It is aimed changing of negative attitude toward these stigmatized population and formation a tolerance to this part of civil society, acknowledgment and recognition of HIV/AIDS problem by officials and creation a favorable social environment for improving of access to HIV/AIDS Prevention and care services of injecting drug users and inmates in prisons as well as support the positive role of civil society play in this regard.
Representatives from Milli Meclis (Parliament), Ministries of Health, Justice, Interior, State  Drug Control Committee, UN agencies,  other international organizations, NGOs and mass media took part in the event. This event has been broadcasted by local and central TV channels,numerous interviews to newspapers have been given by parliamentarians and officials.