The problem of drug addiction is one of the most urgent for both health care, and for society as a whole. This is due to the dire medical and social consequences of substance abuse.. People with drug addiction are at greater risk of infection and contribute to the spread of HIV infection, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases and other dangerous infectious diseases.

Over the past decade in the Republic of Belarus, the number of patients with drug addiction has increased by 1,4 times: from 6145 man in 2005 year, to 8649 person at the beginning 2017 of the year.

Most of the country's registered drug addiction patients – aged 20-40 years. The number of synthetic cannabinoid users has increased in recent years (spices), predominantly these are persons of the age 15-29 years.

The provision of medical care to drug addicts is carried out in specialized healthcare organizations in stages.:

detoxification stage (treatment of withdrawal syndrome (withdrawal syndrome), which occurs when the drug is withdrawn) – 2 Sun;

stage of inpatient rehabilitation - up to 2 month;

stage of out-of-hospital rehabilitation and social rehabilitation - up to 12 month.

At the stage of out-of-hospital rehabilitation within the framework of social rehabilitation, close interaction with groups of self- and mutual assistance within the framework of public organizations, in particular "Narcotics Anonymous".

The effectiveness of medical care is assessed by the duration and quality of annual remission (abstaining from the use of a psychoactive substance during 12 month). Worldwide, and in the Republic of Belarus, the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation reaches 30-40%, ie. abstain from the use of psychoactive substances for 1 years after treatment 30-40% drug addicts.

To implement more successful actions in the field of reducing the costs of society, drug-related, within the framework of the harm reduction concept, various harm reduction programs are being implemented in the Republic of Belarus: syringe exchange programs, distribution of condoms, outreach work, methadone substitution therapy. Awareness-raising campaigns are also used., social support, disseminating information on HIV treatment, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, addiction and access to it.

Findings from numerous public health studies, show, that syringe exchange, methadone substitution therapy, outreach and other harm reduction programs significantly reduce the incidence and rate of spread of disease (addiction, HIV, etc.), help to establish contact between health care services and people, needing them. This interaction leads to many positive results., how from a health point of view, and from the point of view of social protection of the population.

Drug addiction is not only a medical problem. Successful prevention of drug addiction is possible only in close interagency cooperation. It is especially important to carry out preventive work among young people, which is one of the risk groups for the development of addiction to psychoactive substances. Social and pedagogical technologies of primary prevention of drug addiction should be used more widely.:

media exposure;

drug education;

use of alternative drug use programs for children and adolescents and youth activities;

creation of social support systems (social services, clubs, youth pro-social organizations, etc.);

anti-drug motivational campaigns;

organization of activities of social workers and volunteers;

juvenile justice system.

Prevention of drug addiction will be successful when psychological technologies of primary prevention are used to work with young people:

development of personal resources;

formation of social and personal competence;

development of adaptive behavioral strategies;

functional family formation.

Generally, only the availability of special knowledge and skills of a healthy lifestyle, as well as modern socially adaptive strategies of behavior in the adult population – parents, teachers allows them to have an effective educational impact, psychological and social support for youth and drug addiction prevention.

chief narcologist

OSMP GUOMP

Ministry of Health

Of the Republic of Belarus I. I. Konorazov