US praises Georgia’s tough anti-drug stance

Georgia’s fight against drug-related crime has been positively assessed by the United States (US) Department of State in a special report regarding international drug control.

The US Department of State 2015 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), released on Wednasday, stressed Georgia’s tough drug efforts in 2014 and noted the highlight of the year was the July seizure of 2.7 metric tonnes of liquid heroin near the Port of Batumi, which was believed to be the largest overland heroin seizure in world history.

In addition, the report underlined the importance of cooperation between the US and Georgia. Assistance offered by the US last year included multiple training courses (held locally and in the US) for the Georgian side and the creation of an interagency counter-narcotics canine unit at Tbilisi International Airport.

In the report, the adoption of Georgia’s National Drug Strategy and Action Plan for 2014-2015 was also positively assessed. The report said the goal of the Action Plan was to reduce drug addiction and focus on harm reduction, improve monitoring of the drug situation in Georgia and improve coordination and international cooperation.

Moreover, much attention was paid to the extensive legislative amendments implemented in 2014 to Georgia’s existing drug-related laws, regulating issues connected with illegal drug use and importing narcotics.

The report said as a result of the legislative changes in May 2014, the use of homemade drugs and the import of new psychotropic substances had decreased by more than 90 percent in comparison with 2013. As well, the changes ensued in the Ministry of Internal Affairs to launch a new anti-drug awareness campaign targeted at preventing the use of new psychotropic substances.

In response to the report, Georgia’s Interior Ministry said the fight against drug-related crime remained one of the country’s priority areas and the Ministry would continue to carry "efficient activities in this direction”.