EMCDDA4Georgia (EMCDDA4GE) - Stepwise strengthening of the Georgian responses to health and security threats posed by contemporary drug markets

Building on the achievements and results of previous EMCDDA technical cooperation projects, the EMCDDA4GE project will have as overall objective to enhance national responses to drug-related health and security threats in Georgia.

To reach this overall objective the EMCDDA4GE project will firstly support the Georgian National Drug Observatory in its monitoring and reporting activities: action will be taken to increase the availability of national drug-related data and statistics in both the health and security fields, support will be provided on methodological work on data collection, and targeted expert and technical support to drug monitoring at country level will be given. Furthermore, the aim will be to strengthen a national early warning system network for information exchange on new psychoactive substances.

Secondly, the EMCDDA4GE project will improve national drug prevention and treatment capacity. The project will provide essential prevention knowledge to decision-, opinion- and policy-makers about the most effective evidence-based prevention interventions and approaches. At the same time, it will strengthen the national drug treatment system through training and capacity building in the delivery of evidence-based drug treatment approaches

Overall Objective
To contribute to enhanced national responses on drug related health and security threats in Georgia
Specific Objectives (SO)
SO 1 – Enhanced monitoring and reporting capacity of the Georgian National Drug Observatory.
This specific objective will firstly assess the Georgian National Drug Observatory (NDO) institutional capacity. Based on the outcome of this assessment, action will be taken to increase the availability of national drug-related data and statistics, related to both the health field and the security field, supporting methodological work on data collection, and providing expert and technical support to drug monitoring at country level. Furthermore, the aim will be to strengthen a national early warning system (NEWS) network for information exchange on new psychoactive substances (NPS)
SO 2 – Improved national drug prevention and treatment capacity.
Under this specific objective we will provide essential prevention knowledge to decision-, opinion- and policy-makers (DOP) about the most effective evidence-based prevention interventions and approaches. At the same time, we will strengthen the national drug treatment system through training and capacity building in delivery of evidence-based drug treatment approaches and reflect on the use of standards to implement, maintain and improve quality of interventions, in cooperation with respective training institutions.

Expected result 1.1: Georgian NDO institutional capacity, assessed
Expected result 1.2: Increased national availability of data collection and reporting tools and knowledge in the health and security field in line with EU standards
Expected result 1.3: A national early warning system (NEWS) network established
Expected result 2.1: Decision-, opinion and policy makers are well informed of evidence-based prevention interventions and approaches
Expected result 2.2: Strengthening of the training system of the national drug treatment practitioners