Introductory visit to the Trimbos Institute

October 5, 2022

On October 3-5, the specialists of KNCDIZ together with the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health took part in a study visit to the Trimbos Institute.

The Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction is an independent national and international expert center that provides services in the field of mental health, substance use and assistance to drug addicts on a scientific basis.

The relevance of the visit is primarily due to the fact that in Kazakhstan, against the background of a decrease in the total number of people on the narcological register for mental and behavioral disorders caused by the use of psychoactive substances, in 2019 there was a twofold increase in the number of people using new psychoactive substances (NPS). According to the results of a clinical and epidemiological study of the prevalence of NSAIDs in the country (2021), there is a significant intensification of the cathinone market (synthetic psychostimulants) and, accordingly, their use. There is a problem of insufficient level of specialized knowledge, based on the latest scientific research with high evidence, among specialists of the mental health service and related specialties.

During the visit, the Kazakh delegation met with the head of the Trimbos Institute, Mr. Dr. Bert van der Hoek and leading specialists. The parties discussed problematic issues and measures taken to combat the use of new psychoactive substances, as well as the results of recent country studies conducted on the topic. An important issue for discussion is the preparation of a memorandum of cooperation, which will be concluded in the near future.

A working meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Sports, as well as the Ministry of Justice and Security, was effective and mutually beneficial to discuss issues of HIV prevention, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation of drug addiction, monitoring of drug use. In order to find best practices, the Kazakh delegation visited the points of issue of substitution therapy.

- The best practices studied will be applied in our country. In particular, it is presented in the form of specific measures to be included in the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Drug addiction and drug trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan, - said the Director of the KNCDIZ A. Abishev.

 The visit was supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

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