UN drugs and crime body aims to expand projects in Azerbaijan
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
in Central Asia is exploring opportunities to expand projects it is
implementing in Azerbaijan, its representative has said.
James Callahan, the UNODC Regional Representative in Central Asia, made the announcement at a news conference held in the UN Baku office on Thursday.
Callahan said he had attended a conference of the law enforcement chiefs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member states, held in Baku April 21-22, and had the opportunity to study the current situation with drug addiction, terrorism and crime in the region.
During his meetings with Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov, he enquired about measures being taken in Azerbaijan to fight the proliferation of narcotics. Those at the meeting also mulled ways of increasing UN assistance to the country in this area. During discussions with officials, Callahan also offered expanding the organization`s aid in combating the spread of AIDS.
The UNODC representative emphasized that, compared to Afghanistan`s neighbors, Azerbaijan is somewhat less exposed to drug addiction, but pointed out the need for more vigorous efforts in addressing the issue.
Callahan said that due to the recent increase in the production of drugs in Afghanistan, this issue might become a concern in the South Caucasus republic, which necessitates heeding attention to the problem.
He noted that drugs in Afghanistan are mainly grown in those territories controlled by the Taliban regime. Currently, 95 percent of the opium produced in the world is grown in this country.
According to Callahan, the volume of opium made in Afghanistan presently exceeds the world`s "demand" for it, therefore, part of the drugs are being set aside. Further, opium is taken to Europe through transit states, and Azerbaijan is among the countries located along this route. Drugs transported from Afghanistan to Iran are then taken to Azerbaijan and continues to Russia and European countries.
Callahan went on to say that the bulk of narcotics impounded with the aid of transit states has increased in the past two years. However, no matter how vigorously the world countries are combating drug trafficking, the amount of confiscated drugs does not exceed even 10 percent of the volume in circulation, and Azerbaijan is no exception. Callahan said the UN was ready to provide assistance in this area, with the key goal being to increase the volume of confiscated narcotics.
"The volume of drugs impounded in Azerbaijan has increased lately, but this is mostly due to the rise in the production of narcotics," said Callahan.
He emphasized that the UNODC intends to begin a project to prevent drug trafficking through the Caspian Sea. Representatives of those countries participating in it are due to gather in Baku within the next two months.
Further, Callahan said the rate of drug-related crimes has risen in Azerbaijan in recent years, along with increasing number of registered drug addicts. Another alarming tendency is the increasing rate of AIDS infection in Azerbaijan, and this poses a potential threat to the country.
Most of the people contracting the virus are addicts injecting drugs intravenously as well as prisoners.
James Callahan, the UNODC Regional Representative in Central Asia, made the announcement at a news conference held in the UN Baku office on Thursday.
Callahan said he had attended a conference of the law enforcement chiefs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member states, held in Baku April 21-22, and had the opportunity to study the current situation with drug addiction, terrorism and crime in the region.
During his meetings with Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov, he enquired about measures being taken in Azerbaijan to fight the proliferation of narcotics. Those at the meeting also mulled ways of increasing UN assistance to the country in this area. During discussions with officials, Callahan also offered expanding the organization`s aid in combating the spread of AIDS.
The UNODC representative emphasized that, compared to Afghanistan`s neighbors, Azerbaijan is somewhat less exposed to drug addiction, but pointed out the need for more vigorous efforts in addressing the issue.
Callahan said that due to the recent increase in the production of drugs in Afghanistan, this issue might become a concern in the South Caucasus republic, which necessitates heeding attention to the problem.
He noted that drugs in Afghanistan are mainly grown in those territories controlled by the Taliban regime. Currently, 95 percent of the opium produced in the world is grown in this country.
According to Callahan, the volume of opium made in Afghanistan presently exceeds the world`s "demand" for it, therefore, part of the drugs are being set aside. Further, opium is taken to Europe through transit states, and Azerbaijan is among the countries located along this route. Drugs transported from Afghanistan to Iran are then taken to Azerbaijan and continues to Russia and European countries.
Callahan went on to say that the bulk of narcotics impounded with the aid of transit states has increased in the past two years. However, no matter how vigorously the world countries are combating drug trafficking, the amount of confiscated drugs does not exceed even 10 percent of the volume in circulation, and Azerbaijan is no exception. Callahan said the UN was ready to provide assistance in this area, with the key goal being to increase the volume of confiscated narcotics.
"The volume of drugs impounded in Azerbaijan has increased lately, but this is mostly due to the rise in the production of narcotics," said Callahan.
He emphasized that the UNODC intends to begin a project to prevent drug trafficking through the Caspian Sea. Representatives of those countries participating in it are due to gather in Baku within the next two months.
Further, Callahan said the rate of drug-related crimes has risen in Azerbaijan in recent years, along with increasing number of registered drug addicts. Another alarming tendency is the increasing rate of AIDS infection in Azerbaijan, and this poses a potential threat to the country.
Most of the people contracting the virus are addicts injecting drugs intravenously as well as prisoners.
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