Drug Users Need Legal Assistance

International organizations find that drug addiction is an illness and not a crime. But so far Armenia has considered it a crime. Both national legislation and public opinion also come to prove this. The project “Legal Support to Drug Users and Their Families” implemented by HCA Vanadzor has the same goal as international organizations.

“It is very important for society to realize that drug addiction is illness and it should be treated and not condemned. This is basically the only illness for which one gets punishment”-mentioned Arthur Sakunts, the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, during the TV program aired by Lori-TV on November 30.
He presented the goals and objectives of “Legal Support to Drug Users and Their Families” project which started on October 1st. One of the main goals is the review of national documents and laws. According to the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, in Armenia drug users are too vulnerable; they are not protected in any way against illegal actions of law enforcement structure. He presented all the activities that were implemented within the project framework. He spoke about the results of public survey carried out among 360 respondents.
According to the results 3.3% are positive towards this phenomenon, 81.7% is negative and 15% of respondents consider it normal. To the question “What are the reasons for using drugs?” the answers were: 26.4% - the impact of environment, 30.3% - they do not realize the consequences, 30.5% -interest, desire, 40.8% - existence of personal problems (they are depressed, hopeless, do not have a job and have bad living conditions). 4.4% think it is lack of finances, 1.1% not curable diseases and 10.5% did not give any answers. Anyway, taking into consideration various answers of citizens, 75% is ready to support drug users and their families in some way (psychological, consultative, legal and financial). 25 % answered that they were not ready to support them in any way.
“This is a world project but it is being implemented in Armenia for the first time. Later there will be expansion to more regions” –assured A. Sakunts. The project duration is 7 months and during this period we planned visits to the families of drug users to have talks with them and their families, to reveal their problems, to give them free legal assistance, to organize TV programs, to publish posters for awareness raising, as well as in case of necessity to protect their rights in the court.
Lilit Zargaryan