March 1, 2024 – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

As early as 1987, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 1st as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, thereby defining the full importance of the problem.

Today, drug addiction has affected all countries of the world, with the number of drug users exceeding 200 million people. Approximately 275 million people have used drugs at least once. According to the World Health Organization, in recent times, approximately 450,000 people die annually due to drug use. According to the most approximate estimates by specialists, 3 to 4 percent of the planet's inhabitants use drugs.

The problem of drug addiction is relevant for both healthcare and society as a whole. This is due to the severe medical and social consequences of psychoactive substance abuse, among which personality changes are the most prominent. Negative medical and social consequences of drug addiction include: the presence of a number of somatic diseases in patients, a low percentage of employment, a high incidence of criminal behavior and convictions, and disruptions in family ties.

The incidence of drug addiction in the Vitebsk region in 2023 increased by 7.1% compared to 2022 and amounted to 54 cases, or 4.95 per 100,000 population. 14 people with toxic substance dependence were identified (8 people in 2022). The number of identified users of narcotic and toxic substances with harmful consequences was 122 people, a decrease of 19.2% compared to 2022. The number of minors in these groups was 17 people (8 people in 2022).

The morbidity of drug addiction in the region was 40.20 per 100,000 population, a decrease of 5.2% compared to 2022, and remains one of the lowest in the country.

As of January 1, 2024, 1000 people using psychoactive substances were under observation in narcological dispensaries in the Vitebsk region, which is 7.2% lower than in 2022 (1078 people). Of those under observation, 510 people are on dispensary records, and 490 people are on preventive observation (in 2022, these figures were 532 and 546, respectively).

Of those observed, 850 are men (85%) and 150 are women (15%).

Under observation by nosology:

- Dependence on narcotic substances - 439 people, which is 6.2% lower than in 2022 (468 people), with no minors;

-dependence on non-narcotic substances – 71 people, which is 9.86% higher than the 2022 level (64 people), no minors;

-use of narcotic substances with harmful consequences – 427 people, which is 9.9% lower than the 2022 level (474 people);

-use of non-narcotic substances with harmful consequences – 63 people, which is 12.5% lower than the 2022 level (72 people), including 7 minors;

-65.8% (658 people) of narcotic and non-narcotic substance users are in the age group under 40, including 1.6% minors (16 people);

The highest prevalence of drug use is still observed in large cities of the region (Vitebsk, Orsha, Polotsk, Novopolotsk) and some districts (Orshansky, Vitebsky).

Of the registered psychoactive substance users, 44 people have higher education (4.4%), 365 people have general secondary education (36.5%), and 573 people have secondary vocational education (57.3%).

813 registered psychoactive substance users (81.3%) do not have their own family, of whom 137 people (13.7%) never had a family, 137 people (13.7%) are divorced, and 11 people (1.1%) are widowed.

257 people (25.7%) have a criminal record, of whom 98 people (9.8%) have been convicted 2 or more times, and 49 people (4.9%) have a criminal record related to illicit drug trafficking.

Structure of psychoactive substance consumption in the Vitebsk region:

In the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, the Polotsk Regional Psychiatric Hospital, and the Orsha Psychoneurological Dispensary, there are offices for methadone (or buprenorphine) substitution therapy. As of January 1, 2024, 46 people were enrolled in the substitution therapy program: 21 people in Vitebsk, 22 people in Polotsk, and 3 people in Orsha.

At the adolescent narcological department of the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, located at: Vitebsk, Moskovsky Ave., 64 (tel. 68-94-38), there is an "Anti-Drug Platform." This platform is designed considering the current virtual environment among minors, utilizing visual aids among other resources. The platform consists of 3 functional blocks: a prevention block, a medical block, and a conference room, which houses the "Drug Prevention Office."

The anti-drug platform utilizes virtual reality glasses that simulate the state of drug intoxication, and the "Harmful Habits" hardware-software complex, which can scan a teenager's body and demonstrate in real-time the impact of various harmful habits (alcoholism, smoking (vaping), snus, drugs, volatile toxic substances) on the body. A drug user's room has been recreated, featuring a training dummy with an external electrical controller for practicing cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, and 3D human organs in real size, both in normal condition and with visualization of pathologies caused by the use of specific psychoactive substances. A conference room is also available, equipped with tablets and a TV set for discussing acquired knowledge and providing feedback.

The operation of this "Anti-Drug Platform" is aimed at fostering in minors the experience of a drug-free life and skills to resist environmental influences, as well as increasing their medical and legal knowledge.

For issues related to drug addiction treatment, including anonymously, you can contact the Healthcare Institution "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology" at the inpatient facility located at: Vitebsk village, Tsentralnaya St., 1-a, tel. (8-0212) 69-29-85, or at the dispensary located at: Vitebsk city, Kommunisticheskaya St., 1\3, tel. (8-0212) 61-45-80. Anonymous assistance is provided by the Center's specialists at: Vitebsk city, N. Tereshkovoy St., 30 (Polyclinic No. 1 of Vitebsk city, 4th floor), anonymous registry phone (8-0212) 61-45-76.

A 24-hour helpline is available at (8-0212) 61-60-60.

Since January 2024, Department No. 7 of the inpatient facility of the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology has been reorganized into a rehabilitation narcological department for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals suffering from addiction, with 30 beds (Vitebsk village, Tsentralnaya St., 1a, Head of Department Krutilina Marina Alexandrovna, tel. 69-29-87).

The rehabilitation department for addicted patients operates at the Polotsk Regional Psychiatric Hospital at the address: (Polotsk city, 23 Guardsmen St., 4a, tel. (8-02144) 43-57-37 – registry, (8-02144) 43-41-84 – inpatient narcological department).

Psychiatrist-narcologist of the dispensary

Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology

I.N. Shchelkunova