Drop in Drug Addicts in Astana by 8 Percent

Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, has seen a significant decrease in the number of people registered for drug addiction treatment, according to the city's Department of Public Health. As of today, 891 people are registered in the city's dispensary, which is 8% less than last year, as reported by Aliya Rustemova, the head of the department.

This year, only 34 new people were registered, with 19 of them being consumers of synthetic drugs. Rustemova attributes the decrease in the number of newly registered patients to low medical assistance-seeking behavior.

The decrease in registrations is a positive sign, indicating that the current therapeutic and preventive work is yielding results. Deputy Akim of Astana, Erik Meyrkhanov, emphasized the importance of continuous preventive work in the fight against drug addiction and drug trafficking.

Meyrkhanov chaired a meeting on countering drug addiction and drug trafficking, which was held within the framework of the "Law and Order" narrative and the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The discussion focused on the implementation of the "Astana - City Without Drugs" plan.

The measures of the plan, which span from 2026 to 2028, are concretely developed and implemented through coordinated efforts between local government agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations. The focus is on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and strict law enforcement.

Following the meeting, heads of state agencies were tasked with starting the preparation of a new plan for 2026-2028. The new plan will include specific, realistic measures to prevent and protect youth from drugs.

Many patients prefer to seek anonymous help in private clinics, but the current legislation does not provide a mechanism for information transfer from private organizations. This is an area that the new plan is expected to address.

In an effort to combat drug addiction, more than 400 events have been held in Astana this year, covering all age groups. These events aim to educate and raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and to provide support for those struggling with addiction.

The decrease in the number of newly registered patients is a promising development in Astana's fight against drug addiction. However, continuous efforts will be needed to maintain this trend and to further reduce the number of people affected by drug addiction.