| About the project "Narcostop" is a comprehensive youth project, operating since 2021, which systematically combats drug addiction among the youth of Kazakhstan. The project unites experts, volunteers, entrepreneurs and government agencies to create an infrastructure for the prevention and rehabilitation of drug addicts. |
About the project
"Narcostop" is a comprehensive youth project, operating since 2021, which systematically combats drug addiction among the youth of Kazakhstan. The project unites experts, volunteers, entrepreneurs and government agencies to create an infrastructure for the prevention and rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Why is this important?
The drug problem is acute: Kazakhstan ranks 8th in the world in terms of drug consumption. There are over 18,000 officially registered drug addicts in the country, almost 3,000 of whom are young people aged 18–29. The real number of addicts may be up to 5 times higher due to unreported cases. The spread of synthetic drugs is especially alarming: their confiscations in Kazakhstan have increased more than 140-fold in recent years (from 7.7 kg to 1.1 tons). These substances are cheap and dangerous – they are estimated to be responsible for the majority of the ~800 annual drug-related deaths in the country.
Why is Narcostop unique?
This is the only national-scale project in Kazakhstan that creates conditions for sustainable sobriety through comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation. The project covers all stages of the fight against addiction – from preventing young people from becoming involved in drugs to helping drug addicts and their families. The benefit to society lies in reducing the drug threat among young people, supporting those recovering, and changing society’s attitude to the problem. Thanks to Narkostop, thousands of young people are involved in positive activities and counteracting drugs, which reduces the prevalence of drug addiction. The project also promotes changes in drug legislation, which strengthens state policy against drug crime.
Why is this important?
The drug problem is acute: Kazakhstan ranks 8th in the world in terms of drug consumption. There are over 18,000 officially registered drug addicts in the country, almost 3,000 of whom are young people aged 18–29. The real number of addicts may be up to 5 times higher due to unreported cases. The spread of synthetic drugs is especially alarming: their confiscations in Kazakhstan have increased more than 140-fold in recent years (from 7.7 kg to 1.1 tons). These substances are cheap and dangerous – they are estimated to be responsible for the majority of the ~800 annual drug-related deaths in the country.
Why is Narcostop unique?
This is the only national-scale project in Kazakhstan that creates conditions for sustainable sobriety through comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation. The project covers all stages of the fight against addiction – from preventing young people from becoming involved in drugs to helping drug addicts and their families. The benefit to society lies in reducing the drug threat among young people, supporting those recovering, and changing society’s attitude to the problem. Thanks to Narkostop, thousands of young people are involved in positive activities and counteracting drugs, which reduces the prevalence of drug addiction. The project also promotes changes in drug legislation, which strengthens state policy against drug crime.
The main areas of the project:
- Volunteering and drug patrol:
recruiting volunteers (more than 600 activists) for anti-drug work – painting over drug advertisements on the streets, cyber patrolling the Internet, holding events and educational campaigns.
- Prevention and education:organizing lectures and discussions in schools, colleges and universities about the dangers of drugs, holding sports and social events (the project reaches up to 10,000 people annually through educational activities.
- Psychological and social assistance:work of a helpline (anonymous call center, ~300 calls per month for consultations of addicts and their relatives; holding mutual aid groups for drug addicts and separate groups for codependents (relatives), where people receive support and advice on the 12-step method.
- Legal support:free legal consultations for families of addicts (for example, on issues of compulsory treatment, protection of rights or liability).
- Rehabilitation and treatment:cooperation with state and private rehabilitation centers (including the Republican Centers for Mental Health) – the project seeks to provide preferential places for drug addicts who are ready to undergo treatment.
- Changes in legislation:interaction with parliament and law enforcement agencies – Narkostop experts prepare recommendations and proposals for improving laws (for example, on the control of new psychoactive substances, licensing of rehab centers).
- Information campaign:running the educational YouTube channel "NEZAVISIM_kz", publishing materials in the media, and being active on social networks to foster intolerance to drugs and a healthy lifestyle among young people.
The project is being implemented with state support: "Narkostop" is a state order of the Department of Youth Policy of the Almaty Akimat. This means that the initiative is financed and supervised by local authorities, which increases the scale and sustainability of the project.
Contacts
Address: Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, st. Abaya, 68/74, office 211. 2nd floor, office of the Narcostop project
Phone: +7 747 461 6701
Phone: +7 747 461 6701
+7 747 461 6701
