On June 26, the Dialogue on HIV and TB Project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will organize a series of public events on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Bishkek city, Chui, Osh and Jalalabad oblasts.

The drug trade and drug abuse in the Kyrgyz Republic is a growing problem, due to the country’s proximity to Afghanistan.  The Kyrgyz Republic is a transit country for large scale drug trafficking from Afghanistan and a sizable portion of these drugs stays within its borders.

There will be a broad range of events on June 26 such as educational sessions on drug treatment and rehabilitation programs, including information on methadone substitution therapy. Clients of methadone substitution therapy will tell about their drug treatment experience to motivate others to stop injecting drugs. The events will also feature conversations with drug treatment specialists on drugs and after-effect of drug abuse, quizzes to raise awareness about drug abuse and drug treatment and sports competitions. In addition, educational materials and referrals to drug treatment facilities will be distributed during the events.

In Bishkek, the NGO Sotsium will organize an edutainment event “Life without Drugs”. The event will feature a Q&A session with drug treatment experts, a poster competition and a soccer match . The event will take place at 11 o’clock in the morning on the football field, located at the cross of “Professor Zima” and Leningradskaia streets in Bishkek.

The Public Foundation “Plus Center” in close collaboration with the Kyrgyz State Drug Control Service will organize an edutainment event “Let a healthy Lifestyle become your new addiction!” All event participants will be informed about the situation with drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the Kyrgyz Republic. Representatives of the Kyrgyz State Drug Control Service will stage a theater performance of the special group on drug and illicit trafficking prevention. The event will take place in the building of the rehabilitation center for PWIDs  of NGO “Plus center” in Osh. Start of the event at 11 o’clock.

USAID is the leading American government agency building social and economic prosperity together with the people of Central Asia.