THE CENTRAL ASIA DRUG ACTION PROGRAMME (CADAP-8) LAUNCHED IN BISHKEK

On 7–8 October 2026, the launch of Phase 8 of the Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP 8) took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic The event was attended by a delegation from Uzbekistan, including a representative of the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr”.

CADAP (Central Asia Drug Action Programme) is a long-term regional programme funded by the European Union, aimed at preventing drug use and addressing drug-related challenges in Central Asian countries.

The Programme Steering Committee was established to provide strategic guidance and ensure high-level coordination. It brings together representatives of all five Central Asian countries, the European Commission, the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, FIAP, CIVIPOL, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The meeting was chaired by the Service for Combating Drug Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic.

The event marked the beginning of a new phase of international cooperation in combating drug-related problems in the region. The Programme focuses on two main areas: strengthening the capacity of Central Asian countries to combat drug trafficking and reducing drug demand and drug use.

During the meeting, the delegations presented their key achievements in drug policy and drug demand reduction, as well as preliminary work plans for the period from October 2026 to September 2027. According to the Drugs and Firearms Control Agency under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the total budget promotes collaborationto EUR 18 million, and the implementation of the Programme is scheduled from February 2026 to July 2030. The Programme covers five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The participation of the Republican Center for the Study of Public Opinion “Ijtimoiy Fikr” in international initiatives in the field of drug policy is particularly important for strengthening the role of civil society institutions and incorporating public opinion into the development and improvement of drug prevention measures. In this context, the Center’s participation in regional cooperation contributes to the development of evidence-based approaches to drug use prevention, the  promotes collaboration among government agencies, the research community, and civil society institutions, and supports the development of prevention policies that reflect the actual needs of the population, especially young people.