http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/ Consumer Web site of Antidrug Civil Union offering general information on drugs, drug related harm, harm reduction, prevention and treatment. en antidrug@health.am Copyright 2009 2009-09-30T17:37:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/methadone-substitution-treatment-now-is-available-in-armenia/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/methadone-substitution-treatment-now-is-available-in-armenia/#When:16:37:00Z Sep 29, 2009 - The first in Armenia Methadone Substitution Treatment (MST) Department was officially opened on September 29 at the Narcological Clinic of Psychiatric Medical Centre of the Ministry of Health of Republic of Armenia.  News 2009-09-30T16:37:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/drug-rehabilitation-center-opened-in-yerevan/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/drug-rehabilitation-center-opened-in-yerevan/#When:11:08:00Z Today, within the framework of the 5th phase of the South Caucasus Anti Drug (SCAD) programme, Drug Rehabilitation Center at the Narcological Clinic of Psychiatric Medical Center of the Ministry of Health was officially opened. The Center has been renovated and furnished and equipped with the financial support of the SCAD-V programme. News 2009-04-27T11:08:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/national-programme-on-combating-drug-addiction-and-illicit-traffic-in-narco/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/national-programme-on-combating-drug-addiction-and-illicit-traffic-in-narco/#When:21:11:01Z The Draft National Programme on Combating Drug Addiction and Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs in the Republic of Armenia in 2009-2012 and the Programme Implementation Schedule has been put into official circulation by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. The main goal of the Programme is to improve the governmental and non-governmental structures for organising combat against drug addiction and illicit traffic in narcotic drugs in the Republic of Armenia and to ensure their effective operation. You can download the Draft National Programme and Action Plan from here. For comments please . News, Narcopolisy 2009-03-11T21:11:01+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/improving-of-narcological-clinic-in-yerevan/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/improving-of-narcological-clinic-in-yerevan/#When:15:33:00Z March 2, 2009, Narcological Clinic, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia - Today, March 2, 2009, Mr. Yasuo Saito, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Armenia and Mr. Artur Potosyan, Executive Board Member of the NGO “Antidrugs Civil Union” signed a Grant Contract launching a new project titled “Improvement of Narcological Clinic in Yerevan”. Mr. Iida, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Armenia will sign as a witness on behalf of the Japanese Embassy. News 2009-03-03T15:33:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/world-aids-day-2008/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/world-aids-day-2008/#When:22:37:00Z 1 December 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Since 1988, efforts made to respond to the epidemic have produced positive results, however, the latest UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic indicates that the epidemic is not yet over in any part of the world. Together with its partners, the World AIDS Campaign set this year�s theme for World AIDS Day as �Lead � Empower � Deliver�, building on last year�s theme of �Take the Lead�. Designating leadership as the World AIDS Day theme for 2007 � 2008 provides an opportunity to highlight both the political leadership needed to fulfill commitments that have been made in the response to AIDS � particularly the promise of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010 � and celebrating the leadership that has been witnessed at all levels of society. News, Downloads 2008-12-01T22:37:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/26-june-message-from-united-nations-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/26-june-message-from-united-nations-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon/#When:18:05:00Z Ten years ago, in response to the seriousness of the world drug problem, Member States of the United Nations convened a Special Session of the General Assembly, where they committed themselves to a vigorous plan of action to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs. Today, drugs continue to destroy lives, generate crime and threaten sustainable development. But we also have a better understanding of how to confront drug abuse and trafficking. Policymakers can draw on a growing body of evidence about drug dependence and drug-use trends. International cooperation and technical assistance are improving law enforcement capabilities. Increased development assistance is helping to reduce poverty and the sale of illicit crops by giving farmers sustainable alternatives. A stronger focus on prevention and treatment is putting health at the centre of drug-control strategies and helping to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS. And there is a growing consensus, both within communities and among states, that drug control is a shared responsibility in which we all play a part. News 2008-06-24T18:05:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/international-day-against-drug-abuse-and-illicit-trafficking/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/international-day-against-drug-abuse-and-illicit-trafficking/#When:17:58:00Z The slogan of the UNODC anti-drugs campaign to be launched on 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.” The slogan will be used for three years and focus on different aspects of drug control: drug abuse in 2007, drug cultivation and production in 2008, and illicit drug trafficking in 2009. General Articles 2008-06-24T17:58:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/un-secretary-general-calls-on-asian-governments-to-amend-outdated-laws-crim/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/un-secretary-general-calls-on-asian-governments-to-amend-outdated-laws-crim/#When:21:52:01Z UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on March 26 for increased health and human rights protections for people living with HIV, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and young people who inject drugs. �I look to Asian Governments to amend outdated laws criminalizing the most vulnerable sections of society, and take all the measures needed to ensure they live in dignity,� the Secretary-General said in response to a report by an independent Commission on AIDS in Asia entitled �Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an Effective Response.� The report urges governments to provide a comprehensive package of harm reduction, including needle exchange programs and opiate substitution treatment, and says governments should abandon counterproductive �war on drugs� programs. For Ban Ki-moon’s statement, see http://data.unaids.org/pub/PressRelease/2008/20080326_pr_asiacommissionreport_en.pdf. The report is available at http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2008/20080326_report_commission_aids_en.pdf.  News 2008-04-01T21:52:01+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/smokeless-tobacco-products-are-addictive-and-hazardous-to-health-scientific/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/smokeless-tobacco-products-are-addictive-and-hazardous-to-health-scientific/#When:21:58:01Z Smokeless tobacco products are addictive and hazardous to health, a scientific committee concluded. The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) in its opinion on smokeless tobacco products addressed their health effects and addiction potential. Furthermore, it examined the role of these products in smoking initiation and cessation, as well as the possibility to extrapolate the experience and use patterns from countries permitting the use of oral tobacco to other EU-countries, where this use is currently banned. According to the opinion, which was published today after a public consultation, smokeless tobacco is addictive and withdrawal symptoms are broadly similar to those seen in smokers. Smokeless tobacco products contain various levels of toxic substances and these products are carcinogenic to humans. The Committee also stated that on the available evidence it is not possible to draw conclusions as to the relative effectiveness of smokeless tobacco as an aid to smoking cessation in comparison with established therapies. Moreover, trends in prevalence of smoking and use of oral tobacco are not predictable, as no extrapolation can be derived on the use of oral tobacco in countries were it has not been used before. SCENIHR provides the Commission with an updated and useful assessment in order to manage health risks in a responsible way according to its competences. The opinion can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scenihr/docs/scenihr_o_013.pdf 2008-03-02T21:58:01+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/nited-nations-secretary-general-message-on-world-aids-day-1-december-2007/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/nited-nations-secretary-general-message-on-world-aids-day-1-december-2007/#When:18:17:01Z The theme of this World AIDS Day is leadership. Without it, we will never get ahead of the epidemic. AIDS is a disease unlike any other. It is a social issue, a human rights issue, an economic issue. It targets young adults just as they should be contributing to economic development, intellectual growth, and bringing up young children. It is taking a disproportionate toll on women. It has made millions of children orphans. It does to society what HIV does to the human body - reduces resilience and weakens capacity, hampers development and threatens stability. This does not need to happen. We have the means to prevent young adults from becoming infected. We have the means to treat those who are infected. We have the means to provide care and support. General Articles 2007-11-30T18:17:01+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/substance-abuse-practitioners-ask-what-is-recovery/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/substance-abuse-practitioners-ask-what-is-recovery/#When:22:32:00Z More than just abstinence, according to proposed definition Philadelphia, PA, November 1, 2007 � Abstinence from alcohol and drugs is just the starting point in defining “recovery” for people with substance abuse disorders, according to a paper in the October issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (JSAT). According to an initial definition developed by a panel of experts from the Betty Ford Institute, recovery is “a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship.” The panel’s report appears as part of a special section of JSAT devoted to Defining and Measuring Recovery. Although “recovery” is widely recognized as the goal of treatment for substance abuse disorders, there has been no widely accepted definition of what the term actually means. “Recovery may be the best word to summarize all the positive benefits to physical, mental, and social health that can happen when alcohol- and other drug-dependent individuals get the help they need,” the expert panel writes. General Articles 2007-11-06T22:32:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/dealing-with-stress-as-a-treatment-for-alcohol-abuse/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/dealing-with-stress-as-a-treatment-for-alcohol-abuse/#When:22:27:00Z A researcher at the University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) is initiating a study of “mindfulness-based stress reduction,” a technique often used in behavioral medicine for stress reduction but not before as an adjunct in the treatment of alcohol use disorders. News 2007-10-28T22:27:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/ideology-trumps-science-in-the-harper-governments-new-drug-policy/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/ideology-trumps-science-in-the-harper-governments-new-drug-policy/#When:11:53:00Z A Periodic Newsletter from The Canadian Harm Reduction Network regarding Canada�s New Drug Policy The Canadian Harm Reduction Network is distributing this newsletter worldwide. We hope that you will read it and share it with your friends and colleagues who have an interest in the direction of Canadian drug policy and the lives of people who use illicit drugs. News 2007-10-14T11:53:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/smoking-by-actors-sways-behavior/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/smoking-by-actors-sways-behavior/#When:12:00:00Z Motion pictures are created to entertain viewers and allow a period of relaxation � an escape from the stress of the daily world. However, when actors display unhealthy behaviors, young adults may adopt the vice leading to a harmful addiction. In a paper published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, examined the relationship between young adults (age 18-25) observing smoking in movies and the likelihood of starting to smoke. They found that more exposure to smoking in movies was significantly associated with young adults beginning to smoke or becoming established smokers. General Articles 2007-10-12T12:00:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/drugs-and-serious-adverse-events/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/drugs-and-serious-adverse-events/#When:10:36:00Z A �serious adverse event� is drug-speak for something bad that happened when a person was taking a medication. That bad thing can range from a hospitalization all the way up to death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a voluntary reporting system setup called MedWatch that accepts voluntary reports of medications related to a serious adverse event. I say �related to� rather than �caused� because the MedWatch reporting database makes no claims (and cannot make any claims) that a serious adverse event is directly related to one and only one specific medication. General Articles 2007-09-26T10:36:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/healthy-steps-for-young-children-sustained-results-at-55-years/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/healthy-steps-for-young-children-sustained-results-at-55-years/#When:10:33:01Z A low-cost program designed to enhance the delivery of childhood behavioral and developmental services was found to have lasting benefits on quality of care for young families and other positive parenting behaviors more than two years post intervention, according to a Commonwealth Fund-supported study published in the September issue of Pediatrics. Healthy Steps for Young Children is a universal, practice-based intervention that incorporates developmental specialists and enhanced developmental services into pediatric care in the first three years of life. News 2007-09-26T10:33:01+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/internet-addiction-more-serious-than-ocd/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/internet-addiction-more-serious-than-ocd/#When:07:37:00Z Internet addiction should be grouped with extreme addictive disorders such as gambling, sex addiction and kleptomania, an Israeli psychiatrist said. Dr. Pinhas Dannon of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine said 10 percent of Internet surfers are afflicted with “Internet addiction disorder,” which can lead to anxiety and severe depression. General Articles 2007-09-09T07:37:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/teen-dieters-likely-to-start-smoking/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/teen-dieters-likely-to-start-smoking/#When:07:01:00Z For teenage girls, initiating a diet is linked to almost double the odds of beginning smoking, a new study has found. However, boys did not have a similar diet-smoking connection and were less likely than girls to diet. The University of Florida research is found in the American Journal of Health Promotion. �Dieting was a significant predictor of initiation of regular smoking among females,� said Mildred Maldonado-Molina, Ph.D., a UF assistant professor of epidemiology and health policy research and lead author of the study. News 2007-09-05T07:01:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/smoking-stays-in-your-genes-after-you-quit/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/smoking-stays-in-your-genes-after-you-quit/#When:15:17:00Z Gene expression changes brought on by heavy smoking may persist long after the smoker has kicked the habit, researchers have found. The results could provide a molecular explanation for the continued increased risk of lung cancer and other pulmonary ailments among former smokers.  News 2007-09-03T15:17:00+04:00 http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/more-risks-for-alcoholics/ http://www.antidrug.health.am/news/english/addiction/more-risks-for-alcoholics/#When:07:06:00Z The effects of alcohol abuse on cognition and learning have been well documented. Now, a new study finds that among alcoholics, the ability to perceive dangerous situations is also compromised. Researchers used functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) to examine the emotional processing ability of alcoholics with the results published in the September issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.  News 2007-09-01T07:06:00+04:00