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US Department of State: Armenia is not a major drug-producing country,
domestic abuse of drugs is modest
armradio.am
09.03.2012 19:32
`Armenia is not a major drug-producing country, and because of
conservative social mores domestic abuse of drugs continues to be
relatively modest. Because it lies along smuggling routes between Asia
and Europe, Armenia continues to experience some use as a transit
country for drug trafficking. However, since Armenia is landlocked and
the two longest of its four borders remain closed, the resulting
limited transport options make the country a secondary route for drug
trafficking,' the US Department of State said in its 2012
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) to Congress.
`The Armenian government continues to reform its border control
system, which falls primarily under the purview of the Border Guards
(a unit of the National Security Service), Customs Service (a unit of
the State Revenue Committee), and Police. With U.S. assistance,
Armenia continues to develop and implement an integrated border
management regime that should improve its ability to detect shipments
of illegal drugs and other types of contraband.' the report noted.
`Drugs are smuggled into Armenia primarily from Iran (heroin and
opiates) and Georgia (opiates, cannabis and hashish). Small amounts of
opiates and heroin are smuggled from Turkey via Georgia. There have
also been cases of small-scale importation from other countries,
mostly by mail or by arriving airline passengers. Should Armenia's
closed borders reopen, Police predict drug transit will increase
significantly,' according to the report.
`Armenia continues drug abuse prevention through awareness campaigns
and treatment of abusers. The Drug Detoxification Center funded by the
Health Ministry provides short-term treatment, and two new facilities
which opened in 2009 helped augment long-term assistance to abusers.
>From mid-2010 to mid-2011, the Drug Detoxification Center provided
methadone substitution treatment to approximately 120 registered
addicts and plans to expand this treatment to Armenia's prison system
in the future,' the report notes.
The document further notes that `Armenia does not encourage or
facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, nor does it encourage or facilitate the
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions."
`Government authorities appear genuinely committed to combating
illegal drugs, and given the strong stigma attached to drug abuse, it
remains a rare occurrence when officials engage in drug trafficking.
The relatively low level of drug use and trafficking likely owes more
to Armenia's strong social mores, its geography, and closed borders
than to effective law enforcement. While police and border authorities
are steadily improving their capabilities, they still suffer from
structural deficiencies in personnel, training, equipment,
intelligence collection, and interagency and international
coordination. In order for Armenia to win the upper-hand in combating
drug abuse and trafficking, law enforcement will need greater
resources, more training and improved coordination. The Armenian
government will also need to expand its awareness and treatment
efforts.
The USG will continue aiding Armenia in its counternarcotics efforts
through law enforcement capacity building and cooperation on
operational drug trafficking issues. The USG works to promote
reconciliation between Armenia and its neighbors, and pursues the
re-opening of closed borders in the region. Continued assistance would
help Armenia secure re-opened borders against narcotics trafficking as
well as other forms of transnational crime,' the report concludes.
domestic abuse of drugs is modest
armradio.am
09.03.2012 19:32
`Armenia is not a major drug-producing country, and because of
conservative social mores domestic abuse of drugs continues to be
relatively modest. Because it lies along smuggling routes between Asia
and Europe, Armenia continues to experience some use as a transit
country for drug trafficking. However, since Armenia is landlocked and
the two longest of its four borders remain closed, the resulting
limited transport options make the country a secondary route for drug
trafficking,' the US Department of State said in its 2012
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) to Congress.
`The Armenian government continues to reform its border control
system, which falls primarily under the purview of the Border Guards
(a unit of the National Security Service), Customs Service (a unit of
the State Revenue Committee), and Police. With U.S. assistance,
Armenia continues to develop and implement an integrated border
management regime that should improve its ability to detect shipments
of illegal drugs and other types of contraband.' the report noted.
`Drugs are smuggled into Armenia primarily from Iran (heroin and
opiates) and Georgia (opiates, cannabis and hashish). Small amounts of
opiates and heroin are smuggled from Turkey via Georgia. There have
also been cases of small-scale importation from other countries,
mostly by mail or by arriving airline passengers. Should Armenia's
closed borders reopen, Police predict drug transit will increase
significantly,' according to the report.
`Armenia continues drug abuse prevention through awareness campaigns
and treatment of abusers. The Drug Detoxification Center funded by the
Health Ministry provides short-term treatment, and two new facilities
which opened in 2009 helped augment long-term assistance to abusers.
>From mid-2010 to mid-2011, the Drug Detoxification Center provided
methadone substitution treatment to approximately 120 registered
addicts and plans to expand this treatment to Armenia's prison system
in the future,' the report notes.
The document further notes that `Armenia does not encourage or
facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, nor does it encourage or facilitate the
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions."
`Government authorities appear genuinely committed to combating
illegal drugs, and given the strong stigma attached to drug abuse, it
remains a rare occurrence when officials engage in drug trafficking.
The relatively low level of drug use and trafficking likely owes more
to Armenia's strong social mores, its geography, and closed borders
than to effective law enforcement. While police and border authorities
are steadily improving their capabilities, they still suffer from
structural deficiencies in personnel, training, equipment,
intelligence collection, and interagency and international
coordination. In order for Armenia to win the upper-hand in combating
drug abuse and trafficking, law enforcement will need greater
resources, more training and improved coordination. The Armenian
government will also need to expand its awareness and treatment
efforts.
The USG will continue aiding Armenia in its counternarcotics efforts
through law enforcement capacity building and cooperation on
operational drug trafficking issues. The USG works to promote
reconciliation between Armenia and its neighbors, and pursues the
re-opening of closed borders in the region. Continued assistance would
help Armenia secure re-opened borders against narcotics trafficking as
well as other forms of transnational crime,' the report concludes.