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Research
Narcostop strives to base its activities on scientific data and relevant analytics. This section contains the latest research on drug addiction – both in Kazakhstan and worldwide – with a brief overview of the methodology and key findings. These studies help to understand the scale of the problem and effective approaches to solving it.
  • The World Drug Report 2022 (UNODC) is a global overview. According to the UN, there were 296 million drug users worldwide in 2021 – 23% more than ten years earlier. The report notes the growth of drug use in developing countries and the expansion of synthetic drugs. It also highlights the rejuvenation of the drug scene: more and more young people are getting involved, especially through new psychoactive substances. Conclusion: increased prevention among young people worldwide and international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking are needed.
  • Statistical study of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2017–2023) – dynamics of synthetic drug addiction. According to official data of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the number of registered persons addicted to new synthetic drugs has increased more than 17 times in 6 years (from 40 patients in 2017 to 694 as of April 1, 2023). This colossal growth confirms the displacement of “traditional” drugs (heroin, marijuana) by synthetic analogues. The study is based on dispensary records (dynamic observation) and shows that synthetic drug addiction is rapidly spreading among both young people and adults. The recommendation of the Ministry of Health is to develop an early detection service and specialized rehabilitation programs specifically for consumers of synthetics.
  • The Narcostop project survey (2024) – risk factors and profile of addicts. The Narcostop team conducted a sociological survey of 5,000 respondents (mostly young people) in Almaty. The results were published in January 2025: 19% of young people are at risk of developing addiction – as a rule, these are teenagers who are not busy with their studies or work, who are bored and have examples of drug use in their environment. The survey also revealed the main reasons for taking drugs for the first time: curiosity/boredom (44%) came first, followed by the influence of friends (32%) and stress/problems (less than 10%). The average young drug user, contrary to stereotypes, turned out to be from a prosperous family, with an education and a job. These data will help adjust prevention – focusing on youth employment, organizing leisure time and education even in prosperous schools and universities.(44% of addicts use drugs out of boredom - the Narkostop project)
  • The effectiveness of rehabilitation and the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2024) - analysis by Narcostop. In 2024, Narcostop initiated a scientific and practical study together with experts in drug addiction and lawyers. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of existing drug addiction treatment programs through the prism of legislation. Preliminary observations: the current system often works with the consequences, not the causes - for example, adolescents under 14 are practically not covered by prevention. The lack of licensing standards for private rehab centers was also revealed, which affects the quality of care. The final report (expected in 2025) recommends: introducing licensing and control of private clinics, strengthening early prevention (with young schoolchildren and their parents). It was preliminarily emphasized that an integrated interdepartmental approach (medicine, education, police) gives the best results - this is what Narcostop is implementing. (Volunteers Fight Drugs in Almaty: How to Make Work More Effective?: August 23, 2024)
  • Medical and psychological aspects of synthetic drug addiction (2025) - a review for a wide range. In early 2025, the Azattyq Rýhy portal published an analytical article "Synthetic drugs: a silent epidemic ...", summarizing the findings of doctors on the impact of synthetics. It is noted that synthetic drugs (salts, spices, mephedrone, etc.) cause instant and strong addiction - after 1-2 doses, cravings are formed. When trying to quit, consumers experience withdrawal syndrome with extremely painful symptoms, which leads to so-called "marathons" - prolonged (several days in a row) use without sleep and rest. Such "marathons" deal a powerful blow to the psyche and health - doctors record an increase in acute psychosis, heart and kidney failure, provoked by synthetic drugs. The material highlights the unpredictability of the chemical composition of new psychoactive substances: manufacturers are constantly changing the formula, and the effects on the body can be unpredictable. The conclusion for healthcare systems is that treatment programs must be urgently adapted to new types of addiction, drug addiction specialists must be trained to work with synthetic drugs, and monitoring of young patients' appeals must be strengthened. (Synthetic Drugs: A Silent Epidemic Destroying Lives of Kazakhstanis)
  • Worldwide statistics of remissions – the importance of post-treatment support. Research in narcology shows that long-term remission (stable sobriety) is achieved only in a relatively small proportion of patients. As mentioned at the Narkostop briefing, about 15% of addicts do not return to use after a full course of therapy. This figure is a global trend, described, for example, in reviews by the World Health Organization. However, with post-rehabilitation support (support groups, social adaptation), the probability of successful remission increases by 2-3 times. Therefore, the practice of “recovering community” is being introduced all over the world – communities of recovering people, mutual support for program graduates. This fact justifies the approach of Narkostop – to support the addict at all stages, and not to quit after detox.(How Volunteers Help Fight Drug Trafficking)
  • Epidemiological portrait of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the Republic of Kazakhstan. September, 2019. The primary objective of the study was to examine the prevalence of NPS use and the market in Kazakhstan at the level of available information. The proportion of problematic NPS use among patients in drug treatment and psychiatric hospitals, including intensive care units, as well as individuals who have undergone drug examination was identified. The prevalence and patterns of NPS use among young people in the Republic of Kazakhstan were assessed. Data on seized NPS formulas, their volumes and regional distribution in Kazakhstan were analyzed. An analysis of websites selling NPS on the Internet was conducted. (PDF file)
  • National Survey on Drug Use among Young People of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ESPAD), 2018. The aim of the study was to determine clinical, socio-epidemiological predictors of psychoactive substance use (PAS) and the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among Kazakhstanis aged 13-18 years - students of grades 7-11 of comprehensive schools and 1-2 years of vocational colleges of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The sample size was 9600 people. The study was conducted in Astana, Almaty, Aktau, Aktobe, Atyrau, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Kostanay, Kyzylorda, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, Taldykorgan, Taraz, Shymkent, Uralsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk) and Semey. (PDF file)
  • Sociological monitoring of drug addiction among adolescents and young people in Almaty. October-December, 2022. The problem of drug and psychoactive substance use in modern Kazakhstan is very acute. Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at a joint session of the chambers of parliament in 2022 that the growing consumption of synthetic drugs poses a great threat to the health of the nation. According to official data, over the past three years, the volume of "synthetics" withdrawn from circulation has increased 10 times. The greatest concern is the spread of drug addiction among adolescents and young people. At the same time, the list of drugs consumed by young people is constantly expanding. In Almaty, as one of the largest cities in Kazakhstan, the situation with drug use is very acute. (PDF file)
  • Clinical and epidemiological study of the spread of new psychoactive substances in Kazakhstan, 2022. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of new psychoactive substances (NPS) among young people (18-34 years old) and analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of NPS abuse in Kazakhstan. For this purpose, a retrospective analysis of treated cases of drug addiction, cases of mental disorders caused by drug use and cases of examination in all regions of Kazakhstan for the period 2018-2020 was conducted. A street survey of 3,000 people aged 18-34 was also conducted on issues of awareness of NPS and the characteristics of their use. A total of 200 points were selected for the survey in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the largest number were in the cities of Almaty, Shymkent and Nur-Sultan. (PDF file
Each of these studies is valuable in its own way: some provide a broad picture (like the world report or data from the Ministry of Health), others provide an in-depth analysis of specific aspects (the psychology of use, the effectiveness of treatment). The Narcostop project relies on this knowledge when planning its work. For example, data on a 17-fold increase in synthetic addiction - to increase the emphasis on cyber patrol and education about the consequences of new drugs. A scientific approach allows for prevention and assistance to be more targeted and effective.
Contacts
Address: Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, st. Abaya, 68/74, office 211. 2nd floor, office of the Narcostop project

Phone: +7 747 461 6701
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