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Overdose deaths escalate in Kazakhstan: MIA reports 10 fatalities within half a year

Approximately 270 million individuals globally fall into the category of confirmed drug abusers.

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Globally, approximately 270 million individuals are recognized as established drug abusers.
Globally, approximately 270 million individuals are recognized as established drug abusers.

Overdose deaths escalate in Kazakhstan: MIA reports 10 fatalities within half a year

Drug Addiction: A Global Crisis

*/*Estimated 270 million individuals worldwide are battling drug addiction.\/

According to Bakytzhan Amirhanov, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Department for Countering Drug Crime, this staggering number includes over 270 million people aged 15 to 64. This alarming figure was reported by Total.kz.

Sadly, in just the first five months of this year, 10 people lost their lives to overdoses. Our world is losing a significant number of lives to drug abuse every year, with more than 450,000 annual deaths caused by psychoactive substances.

Amirhanov stresses that even for a population of 18 million, minor drug use rates pose a formidable challenge to national security and public health. He believes that relying on force alone isn't sufficient to combat this issue.

With the proliferation of synthetic drug use and the internet's role in promoting and distributing these substances, Amirhanov emphasizes the need for joint preventive and explanatory work.

In 2020, the concern around drug addiction was discussed at the Security Council meeting. In February 2021, senators also considered this issue. The consensus was clear: solving this problem requires concerted action from all state bodies.

As of now, around 20,000 drug addicts are registered in the country, including over 1,500 women and 43 minors. In the first five months of this year, 10 people died from overdoses. However, registration of drug addicts requires the patient's consent.

Countering drug crime and toughening penalties for drug-related crimes remain crucial tasks for the police. The effectiveness of this work is evaluated by the international community as an indicator of a nation's readiness to confront drug threats.

However, Amirhanov underscores the significance of the preventive aspect of the state's anti-drug policy. He suggests that investing in prevention can save substantial healthcare costs in the long run.

Struggling to Combat Drug Use? The World Has a Solution

/Here are some global strategies for addressing drug addiction:\/

  1. UNODC's Balanced Approach: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) promotes a balanced approach to drug problems, concentrating on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This holistic approach aims for health and safety, in line with ethical standards.
  2. National Prevention Initiatives: In the United States, initiatives like National Prevention Week encourage community participation in prevention efforts. Be part of the solution by utilizing storytelling and planning tools provided.
  3. International Collaboration and Policy Development: The World Health Organization (WHO) hosts the Fifth Forum on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictive Behaviors (FADAB) to foster international collaboration and develop effective strategies to minimize drug-related harms.
  4. Enforcement and Policy Responses: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides annual National Drug Threat Assessments. These assessments review drug threats, inform drug policies, and laws, and stress the need for collaborative efforts to combat drug trafficking.

By adopting such strategies, we can better address the problem of drug addiction and work towards a healthier, safer world for all.

  1. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) advocates a holistic approach to drug problems, focusing on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, all aimed at promoting health and safety within ethical standards.
  2. In the United States, events like National Prevention Week encourage public participation in prevention efforts, offering storytelling and planning tools to help combat drug addiction.
  3. The World Health Organization (WHO) hosts the Fifth Forum on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictive Behaviors (FADAB) to facilitate international collaboration, develop effective strategies, and minimize drug-related harms.
  4. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducts annual National Drug Threat Assessments, reviewing drug threats, shaping drug policies and laws, and highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in combating drug trafficking.

By implementing these strategies, we can further tackle the issue of drug addiction and work towards a healthier, safer world.

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