Changing Patterns of Drug Use in Georgia A Case V

Authors: Irma Kirtadze David Otiashvili

Publish Date: 2015

Volume: , Issue: , Pages: 79-86

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Abstract

In Georgia rapid economic political and social changes since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and relaxation of state control have been accompanied by the scale of the illicit drug market Drug use has become a serious public health and social issue Heroine and buprenorphine injection epidemics of late 1990s–early 2000s were followed by the widespread abuse of homeproduced injection preparations Switching to new drugs in many instances was associated with increased risk of bloodborne infections and additional harms such as serious neurological and psychiatric complications Restrictive drug policy and limiting access to particular drugs were seen as solutions to country’s drug problem In addition the system of addiction treatment was largely unprepared to provide adequate response to the changing drug use trends and often failed to meet the needs of the patients Healthcare providers might often need to engage in policy dialogue and advocate for relevant systemic reforms in order to ensure that policies program planning and resource allocations are meaningful adequate and responsive to the everchanging needs of people affected by substance use and dependence

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