March 1 – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Drug addiction is a pressing issue for both healthcare and society as a whole. This is due to the severe medical and social consequences of psychoactive substance abuse. Modern narcotic drugs can lead to addiction in just a few uses. The consequences of this disease are extremely dangerous, as they involve gross impairments of internal organ functions, the nervous system, damage to the brain, and characteristic personality changes. Negative medical and social consequences of drug addiction include: the presence of a number of somatic diseases in patients, a high incidence of criminal behavior and convictions, disruption of family ties, and a low rate of employment. The spread of drug addiction also ranks high among the causes of high mortality, low birth rates, and low life expectancy in the republic. Drug addicts contribute to the spread of HIV infection, viral hepatitis, venereal diseases, and other dangerous infectious diseases.

In 2024, the number of individuals identified with a newly diagnosed case of drug addiction (primary incidence) in the Vitebsk region decreased compared to 2023, from 54 to 48 cases (by 11.1%). 11 individuals with toxicomaniac behavior were identified (14 in 2023). The number of identified users of narcotic and toxic substances with harmful consequences was 109 people, a decrease of 12.1% (-15 people) compared to 2023. The number of minors under preventive observation was 9 people (17 in 2023).

The total number of users of narcotic and other psychoactive substances observed in the narcological dispensaries of the region's healthcare institutions was 970 people, a decrease of 3.0% compared to 2023. An increase was observed in individuals with substance dependence syndrome, from 439 to 441 people. There are 8 minors using narcotic and psychoactive substances in the region, a decrease of 42.9% (11 people) compared to 2023.

Among the observed individuals, 22.9% use psychostimulants, 24.5% use cannabis and cannabinoids, 22.7% use opioids, and 11.6% use sedatives, hypnotics, and other psychoactive substances. 18.3% suffer from poly-drug addiction.

Among drug users seeking medical help, 0.8% are under 18 years old, 6.8% are 19-25 years old, 15.8% are 26-30 years old, 16% are 31-35 years old, 25.3% are 36-40 years old, 40.4% are 18-30 years old, 16.0% are 31-35 years old, 12.2% are 51-60 years old, and 0.3% are over 60 years old. Thus, 64.7% of drug users are young people under 40 years of age.

The majority of drug users (74.1%) are unemployed and not studying, 22.5% are employed, and up to 1% are students.

64.4% are unmarried, 15.5% are divorced.

69.8% of users live in urban settlements with a population of over 100,000 people, 18.6% live in cities with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants, 5.4% live in urban settlements with up to 10,000 inhabitants, 3.4% live in rural settlements, and 2.9% live in urban settlements with 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants.

70.4% of the observed individuals have a criminal record.

In accordance with the methodology approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated June 11, 2024, No. 838 "On the System of Monitoring the Narcological Situation in the Republic of Belarus," an assessment of the situation related to the use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and its consequences was carried out for the Vitebsk region for 2024.

Based on the calculated average score of all indicators for assessing the situation related to the use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and its consequences, the narcological situation in the Vitebsk region in 2024 remained stable.

Negative factors in the assessment of the situation related to the use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and its consequences included an increase in the number of individuals compared to the previous three-year period:

- who committed crimes related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors, and analogues;

- who use cannabis and cannabinoids;

- who were registered for dispensary observation for the first time in their lives due to drug addiction syndrome, due to individuals using cannabinoids and combined drug use;

- an increase in the number of individuals under dispensary observation who use psychostimulants and combined drug use is noted.

- an increase in the number of HIV infections due to drug use is noted.

In 2024, a decrease in the activity of methadone substitution therapy clinics was observed due to a decrease in the number of their patients.

On the basis of the stationary facility of the Healthcare Institution "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology" (hereinafter referred to as HI "VOCPiN"), a narcological rehabilitation department operates, which provides a program for long-term medical and social rehabilitation of individuals suffering from addiction syndrome to narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other intoxicating substances. An outpatient stage of medical rehabilitation for narcological patients has also been implemented, and a program for medical rehabilitation of patients with psychoactive substance addiction syndrome in outpatient settings has been developed.

On the basis of HI "VOCPiN", from 25.07.2024, a rehabilitation center for individuals suffering from chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, and toxicomania (hereinafter referred to as the rehabilitation center) has been organized on a functional basis. The rehabilitation department for dependent patients also operates at the Healthcare Institution "Polotsk Regional Psychiatric Hospital".

In October 2024, an in-depth analysis and assessment of the effectiveness of the rehabilitation programs used for patients suffering from psychoactive substance addiction syndrome were conducted. The results of inpatient rehabilitation for 155 patients, residents of Vitebsk and Vitebsk region, were analyzed retrospectively. Remission from 3 to 9 months was noted in 48 patients, which is 31%.

Information and educational events are regularly held at the anti-drug platform "VOCPiN", located at the adolescent narcological department at: Vitebsk, Moskovsky Ave., 64 (tel. 68-94-38).

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 effects of various harmful habits (alcoholism, smoking (vaping), snus, drugs, volatile toxic substances) on the body. A drug user's room has been recreated using a training mannequin with an external electric controller for practicing cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, and 3D human organs in real size, both in a healthy state and with visualization of pathologies caused by the use of various psychoactive substances. A conference room is available, equipped with tablets and a TV set for discussing acquired knowledge and providing feedback.

For issues related to drug addiction treatment, including anonymously, you can contact the Healthcare Institution "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatric and Narcological Diseases" (UZ "VOKCPiN"). For inpatient services, please visit: pos. Vitba, ul. Tsentralnaya, 1-a, tel. (8-0212) 69-29-85. For outpatient services, please visit the dispensary at: Vitebsk, ul. Kommunisticheskaya, 1\3, tel. (8-0212) 61-45-80. Anonymous assistance is provided by specialists of the psycho-narcological department of the Center at: Vitebsk, ul. N. Tereshkovoy, 30 (Polyclinic No. 1 of Vitebsk, 4th floor), anonymous registration phone: (8-0212) 61-45-76. The 24-hour helpline is available at (8-0212) 61-60-60. You can also seek medical assistance from a psychiatrist-narcologist at your place of residence.

Psychiatrist-narcologist of UZ "VOKCPiN" I.N. Shchelkunova