Harm Reduction Drug Project Uzbekistan - Contact Netz

11. A learning experience
In conclusion we would like to sum up the most important lessons that have been
learnt from the Harm Reduction Drug Project Uzbekistan.
There is now greater acceptance in Uzbekistan and Central Asia of the need for
a coherent and sensible drug policy. The four-pillar model (prevention,
counselling and therapy, harm reduction, law enforcement) on which the Swiss
drug policy is based can serve as a model for the future formulation of a drug
policy in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
All the parties involved with drug addiction in Uzbekistan must learn to pull
together. Co-operation has already begun between the healthcare and social
welfare authorities, as well as in the areas of policing and the law, and must be
developed further. The same can be said for the harm reduction projects in
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
All government agencies must guarantee anonymity to drug addicts who accept
help. This is a basic requirement if drug addicts’ strong mistrust of
programmes which aim to help them is to be overcome.
Swiss knowledge and experience can provide the impulse for solutions which
can then be adapted to the cultural context of Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
The knowledge and experience of those involved in the outreach programme,
including those who have worked with drug addicts and their circle in this project,
should be exploited in developing appropriate provision. However intelligent and
sophisticated the strategies developed at the strategic policy level, they are
irrelevant unless they can be implemented in the field.
Drug addicts and their circle know their own needs. They should be actively
involved in all the possible programmes and activities in this area.
Although our project compares very favourably with similar government or NGO
programmes in cost/benefit terms, an entirely new approach is needed to the
budget terms and to achieving comprehensive access to drug addicts in the
context of HIV prevention. Possible solutions have been discussed in this report.
Long-term prospects are absolutely essential for this model project. There is an
urgent need for financing to cover the next 4-5 years. If this is not possible, the
positive and innovative dynamic which the project and the Swiss presence
have brought into being in the field of harm reduction will rapidly fade away.
There is a real danger that once again, a project will become bogged down.
The ministries of the Central Asian governments are unwilling or unable to offer
funds for syringes and condoms. Our project also lacks the necessary
funding. Money from the Global Fund needs to be channelled to the more
efficient NGOs for HIV/AIDS/drug prevention, and this includes to our own
project.
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Harm reduction:
9 key points
Increasing
acceptance of
Swiss style drug
policy
Importance of
co-operation
Guaranteeing
anonymity
A model project
Using the
knowledge and
experience of
outreach staff
Active
involvement in
interventions
New conclusion
and decisions in
HIV prevention
Clarifying the
financial
situation
International
support needed