2004 Drug Control and Drug Prevention

On the Status of Implementation in 2004 of the State Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program for 2004 –2008 and on Funding of its Measures According to the Information Submitted to the Commission

The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania approved the State Drug Control and Drug prevention Program for 2004 -2008 (further referred to as the Program) by decision No IX- 2110 of 8 April 2004.

The Program was designed to ensure the implementation of the provisions contained in the recommendations and resolutions of the UN, the Council of Europe and the EU as well as in the respective legislation of the Republic of Lithuania.

The aim of the program is to halt and reduce the spread of drug addiction, prevent illicit drug circulation and implement the national policy priorities within the field of drug prevention and drug control through consistent and comprehensive eradication of the causes and conditions for the rise and spread of drug addiction and through rational use of financial and human resources.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania was offered to manage the implementation of the State Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program for 2004 –2008 subsequent to annual approval of the plan for program implementation measures.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania confirmed the program implementation measures for 2004 on 15 September 2004 by decision No 1166 On approval to the program implementation measures for 2004 with respect to State Drug Control and Drug prevention Program for 2004 –2008 (Žin., 2004, No 140 - 5114).

The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania provided for the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to inform the Seimas on the program implementation process and results on an annual basis.

The strategic goal of the Program is to stop and reduce the spread of drug addiction, set and implement the main national policy guidelines and action plans within the field of drug prevention and drug control and to increase the efficiency of drug prevention in Lithuania.

Following is a list of the main tasks of the Program:

• formation of a negative public attitude towards the use of drugs and psychotropic substances with focus on drug prevention within the family, in children and young people, promotion of the value of healthy lifestyles in children and young people (Program item 26.1);
• development of cooperation between the state institutions responsible for drug prevention and drug control, public organisations and the community at large (Program item 26.2);
• encouragement of initiatives by municipal and regional authorities for tackling the problems of drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.3);
• improvement of the activities of law enforcement authorities aimed at reducing drug supply by impeding the availability of drugs (Program item 26.4);
• development of a system conforming with the EU requirements for the collection and analysis of objective information on drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.5);
• enhancement of international cooperation on drug prevention and drug control within the framework of regional and national projects and programmes (Program item 26.6);
• ensuring the implementation of measures aimed at prevention of laundering of money earned from illicit circulation of drugs (Program item 26.7);
• ensuring coordination of efforts, effective management and control of the state bodies responsible for drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.8);
• creation of favourable conditions for the substitution of criminal charges by alternative treatment programmes in cases where substance abusers are charged with minor offences (Program item 26.9).

The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania set out the following 4 priority areas for drug control and drug prevention falling within the scope of the Program:

Primary drug prevention in children and young people;

Reduction of supply of illicit narcotic and psychotropic substances;

Healthcare, rehabilitation and social integration of users of narcotic and psychotropic substances;

Information system development and research.

The attended results of implementation of the Program include stabilised and reduced pace of spread of drug addiction, drug supply and demand; establishment of an efficient drug control and prevention system; facilitated conditions enabling selection and implementation of efficient measures aimed at reducing the economic and social harm caused by drug addiction; improved cooperation between institutions and enhanced coordination of efforts in all sectors; a safer social environment for all.

For the purpose of implementation of the Program in 2004 the Government the Republic of Lithuania approved the Program implementation measures for 2004 by decision No 1166 of 15 September 2004 On approval to the program implementation measures for 2004 with respect to the State Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program for 2004 –2008 (Žin., 2004, No 140-5114).

Following decision of the Seimas No X-54 of 16 December 2004 On Forming the Drug Addiction Prevention Commission of the Seimas (Žin., 2004, No 184 -6789) a standing Drug Addiction Prevention Commission of the Seimas was established.

With a view of ensuring development and better coordination of actions of national and municipal authorities within the field of drug prevention and drug control and in order to ensure monitoring of the implementation of drug prevention and drug control policy measures, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania established the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on 1 January 2004 by resolution No 1059 of 21 August 2003 On the establishment of the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Žin., 2003, No 82- 3743).

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the National Drug Prevention and Drug Control Strategy for 2004 -2008 (further referred to as the Strategy) containing the state policy priorities on drug prevention and drug control by resolution No 1216 of 2 October 2003 On the approval of the national drug prevention and drug control strategy for 2004-2008 ( Žin., 2003, No 94-4251).

The main goal of the Strategy is to reduce and stop the spread of drug addiction and thus ensure state and public safety.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania charged the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to coordinate, manage and control the implementation of the Strategy by ruling No 742 of 30 June 2005 On the ruling of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 2 October 2003 No 1216 “On the approval of the national drug prevention and drug control strategy for 2004- 2008” (Žin., 2005, No 82-3027).

In 2004 the total of 142 legal acts within the field of drug control and drug prevention were approved and published.

The Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania noted that the provisions of the legal acts were not completely feasible.

Analysis of the Program implementation measures for 2004 established that some of the measures funded in line with the National Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program for 2004 – 2008 in some cases obviously coicided with the tasks and objectives of other running programmes and sometimes overlapped with other programmes, including the socialisation, employment, crime prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.

At meetings held on 25 May 2005 and 8 June 2005, the Drug Addiction Prevention Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania heard the annual presentation made by Audronė Astrauskienė, Director of the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. The presentation contained an annual report on measures under the National Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program for 2004 -2008 implemented in 2004 and their funding. The Commission also acquainted itself with the information contained in note No 5-(4.3-8)-287 of 30 May 2005 On the submission of the report; note No S- (4.3-9) -300 of 8 June 2005 On information for the commission meeting and note No S-(4.3-8)-354 of 29 June 2005 On the annual presentation and the report. Attention should be drawn to the fact that by way of replies to the submitted questions the Commission received links to the information contained on an Internet homepage.

The Commission submitted additional questions to the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania by note No 293 -S-141 of 14 June 2005 On the annual presentation and the report and received the reply by note No S -(4.3-8) - 354 of 29 June 2005 On the annual presentation and the report.

Regarding the substitution therapy in Lithuania, the Commission requested the Ministry of Health for information on the implementation of substitution therapy (substitution and maintenance therapy) in Lithuania in 2004 by document No 293 -S- 150 of 21 June 2005 On information.

The Commission received a written reply a No 10 -(10.1-22)-4095 from Mr. Žilvinas Padaiga, Minister of Health on 11 August 2005.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania allocated LTL 10,212,000 in 2004 for the implementation of measures under the National Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program (cf.: LTL 10,819,000 were allocated in 2003 and LTL 8,702,000 in 2002).

The Situation in 2004

According to the data provided by the State Mental Health Center, on 31 December 2004 Lithuanian healthcare institutions had a total of 68,653 registered patients with addiction diseases, including 5,011 patients addicted to narcotic and psychotropic substances.

In 2001, a total of 63,752 patients with alcohol addiction problems applied for help to the relevant healthcare institutions. The respective figures were 63,489 in 2002 and 61, 930 (including three persons aged under 18) in 2003.

In 2004, 4/5 of all the registered patients in healthcare institutions suffering from addiction to narcotic and psychotropic substances were men and 1/5 were women; a total of 2,159 persons or 43 percent of the registered patients had a criminal record.

In 2004, the State Medicines Control Agency under the Ministry of Health submitted to the UN International Drug Control Committee a list of needs (QUOTAS) which included 10,000 g of methadone and 2,200 g of buprenorphine starting from 1^st quarter of 2003 (Bunandol and Subutex), (in 2002 Subutex was registered as medication suitable for addiction treatment).

For example, 4.374 kg of methadone, 142 kg of buprenorphine, (155 kg in 2003), 10.181 kg of morphine (12.454 kg in 2003) and 112.334 kg of diazepam (144.059 kg in 2003) were transported to Lithuania in 2004.

A single company has the permit authorising it to import methadone in Lithuania. Three companies have permits for importing buprenorphine (SUBUTEX), but in fact only 2 of them do so and the remaining one continues to be holder of the permit.

In 2004, 5 Lithuanian companies had licences allowing them to engage in activities related to precursors of category 1, 19 companies had registration certificates enabling them to engage in business activities associated with precursors of categories 2 and 3.

Due to the increasing numbers of pharmacies in 2004 the number of valid licences authorising for activities associated with narcotic and psychotropic substances in Lithuania increased as well.

In late 2004, the total figure of issued valid licences authorising pharmacy activities associated with narcotic and psychotropic medication was of 1,472, including 29 licences issued to companies engaged in wholesale trade in medications, 3 licences issued to medication- producing companies and 1,449 licences issued to pharmacies and their subsidiaries (890 subsidiaries, in total).

In late 2004, for the first time in Lithuania, a representative survey of the country’s inhabitants designed to investigate the spread of harmful habits in Lithuania was carried out encompassing inhabitants aged from 16 to 64.

The survey results showed that 8.2 percent of Lithuania’s inhabitants had tried drugs at least once in a lifetime, 34.8 percent currently smoked tobacco and 65.1 used alcohol.

The survey results also showed that men (13.1 percent) were more likely to have used drugs than women (3.8 percent) and that younger inhabitants (aged 15 to 34) used narcotic and psychotropic substances far more frequently than the older population, aged 35 to 64 (14.4 and 4.5 percent, respectively).

Cannabis is the most widespread drug in this country. 7.6 percent of Lithuania’s inhabitants admit to having used cannabis at least once in their lifetime and 4.6 percent of inhabitants in the 15 to 34 age group admit to having used it within the last 12 months.

As far as the young people (15 to 34 age group) are concerned, 2.2 percent admit to having used amphetamine at least once, 2.1 percent admit to have tried ecstasy, 0.8 percent - hallucinogenic (magic) mushrooms, 0.7 percent – cocaine, 0.6 percent – heroin and 0.5 percent admit to having used LSD.

The results of the survey also indicate that various drug substances are fairly easy to procure. Cannabis is most easily available: 14.3 percent of Lithuania’s inhabitants indicated that, should they need it, they would find it easy to procure cannabis within 24 hours. 18.5 percent of Lithuania’s inhabitants claim they had been offered drugs at least once. Drugs were most frequently offered in closed parties, at clubs and discos; out of the persons who had been offered drugs at least once, 44.6 percent have tried some kind of drug at least once. Comparative analysis of drug availability data and of data on persons who had tried any kind of drug at least once showed the drug supply currently exceeds the demand.

The results of survey on alcohol and other drugs in Lithuanian schools (ESPAD) carried out in 2003 suggest that 15.6 % of pupils aged 15 to 16 had tried some kind of drug at least once. Analysis of the dynamics of spread of narcotic and psychotropic substances among pupils indicates that levels of use remained unchanged throughout the past four years (15.5 % in 1999, 3.2 % in 1995). Compared to other European countries and the neighbouring states, the percentage of drug users in Lithuanian schools is not very high (the respective figures being 44% in the Czech Republic, 41% in Switzerland, 17% in Latvia, 24% in Estonia, 19% in Poland and 22% in Russia).

In 2004, a total of 9,739 persons underwent military medical examination carried out by military medical commissions (further referred to as MMCs) managed by the medical corps of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The people were examined with reference to the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances in line with the requirements for selecting entrants for mandatory primary military service (further referred to as MPMS), professional military service (further referred to as PMS) and the entrants to military education institutions.

Subsequent to selecting the suitable people for military service in line with the provisions of the Military Medical Examination Commission, 144 persons were assigned to monitoring groups due to established episodic cases of use of narcotic substances. In 2004 a total of 372 soldiers suspected of narcotic and psychotropic substance abuse were tested. This represents 10.57 % of the total number of troops in service.

23 test results were positive, accounting for 6.18 % of the suspected users of narcotic and psychotropic substances and 0.65 % of the total number of troops in service. Four MPMS soldiers were expelled from service for drug addiction.

According to the data of the Prisons Department under the Ministry of Justice 1,148 out of 8,063 prisoners suffered from drug addiction in early 2004. This comprised 14.2 percent of the total number of persons in places of imprisonment. In early 2003 the respective figure was 1,464. In 2004, 680 g of narcotic and psychotropic substances were withdrawn from persons in places of imprisonment or seized during substance transfer attempts. 61 pre-trial investigation cases were initiated in places of imprisonment for crimes associated with illicit circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances.

Subsequent to examination of cases associated with illegal possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances, poisonous or potent substances and illegal growing of poppies and cannabis investigated in 2003 - 2004, the National Courts Administration announced that a total of 1,218 of criminal cases associated with the posession of narcotic or psychotropic substances were investigated in 2003 - 2004.

In 2003 – 2004, a total of 1,398 persons were sentenced for crimes associated with the possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances. Their average age was 32. The exact number of persons responsible for committing crimes under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic or other substances affecting mental health is not known.

The following sentences were imposed upon the convicts:

a) 85 persons were sentenced to public works;

b) 78 sentenced to restriction of liberty;

c) 579 sentenced to imprisonment;

d) 345 sentenced to arrest;

e) 324 fined.

The application of punishment was deferred in respect of 267 persons. The property was subject to complete or partial forfeiture with respect to 101 persons. The forfeited drugs amounted to approximately 1,090 kg and 65 litres.

In 2004 a total of 93,419 offences were registered, including 1,552 criminal offences. They account for 1.7 percent of all registered criminal offences associated with the possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances and their precursors of category 1. This represents an increase by 523 offences or by 33.7 percent compared to 2003. A total of 944 criminal offences associated with narcotic and psychotropic substances were registered within the same period in 2003. The relative increase in numbers of offences associated with narcotic and psychotropic substances is 64.3 percent.

Crimes account for 79 percent, and misdemeanours for 21 percent of all the registered offences associated with narcotic and psychotropic substances.

A total of 673 offences associated with distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances were registered in 2004 (they account for 43 percent of all the offences related to illicit drug circulation) and approximately 30 organised groups engaged in distribution of narcotic substances were discovered. The figures encompass all Lithuania’s regions, including Vilnius, Klaipėda, Kaunas, Panevėžys, Visaginas and other regions. The figure is increasing at an annual rate of 5-10 percent. Although 44 percent of offenders are detained for distribution of drug substances, only half of them are taken to court on drug distribution charges, since some offences are subsequently qualified by courts as representing offences associated with the possession of narcotic substances not intended for distribution.

The following amounts of narcotic and psychotropic substances and their precursors of category 1 were seized from circulation in 2004: 380 kg of minced poppies (269 kg in 2003); 55 litres of poppy extract and 721 g of poppy concentrate (53 litres and 252 g in 2003); 2.9 kg of heroin (806g in 2003); 16.4 kg of marijuana and 415 kg of raw marijuana (13 kg and 600 kg in 2003, respectively); 2.3 kg of hashish (262.6 kg in 2003); 13.5 kg of cocaine (183 g in 2003); 7 kg + 1,050 pills of amphetamine (6.96 kg +219 pills in 2003); 2.8 kg of metamphetamine (24.7 kg + 24 pills in 2003); a huge amount of 18.7 thousand of units of LSD pills were seized (191 units in 2003); 99,429 pills of Ecstasy (98,458 pills + 440g in 2003); 304 g and 1,584 pills and 320 ampoules of medication substance (140 g and 545 pills in 2003); 21.7 litres of Safrol (20.2 litres in 2003); 21 litres of BMK (34.6 litres in 2003). These amounts exclude the raw narcotic substances seized during the “Aguona|” operation.

During the implementation of the comprehensive measures “Aguona 2004”, the territorial police authorities destroyed a total of 52,141.6 sq m of poppy crops and 196.5 sq m of cannabis crops (this represents 40 percent increase on 2003). Administrative action was taken against a total of 582 persons including 33 minors (529 in 2003).

During the comprehensive measures “Aguona 2004”, 171 kg of poppies and their parts were withdrawn from illegal circulation which represents 58 kg increase on 2003.

Substance seizures in 2004 included 0.462 g of poppies and their parts, 2.842g of marijuana (cannabis), 0.019g of hallucinogenic mushrooms, 59 g of amphetamine and ecstasy, 0.912 g of metamphetamine and 0.001g of heroin.

In 2004, 5 international operations were conducted, 33 persons were detained and 120,000 pills of Rohypnoli, 31 kg of amphetamine and 1 kg of heroin was seized.

The officials of the Lithuanian law enforcement institutions took part in the following international projects: the Baltic Sea region project, the joint project of Russia, Sweden and Norway, the joint Lithuanian and Swedish project and the joined project of Lithuania and Poland.

The Financial Crime Investigation Service under the Ministry of the Interior did not receive any information on cases of money laundering of funds from illicit drug circulation in 2004.

The officials of the Lithuanian customs took part in 3 seminars under the PHARE project and in one seminar organised by OLAF in 2004.

In 2004 the Lithuanian customs detected one case of money smuggling, seized 10,000 EUROS and took part in 4 international customs operations targeted at drug smuggling prevention.

However, in 2004 Lithuanian customs did not perform any ship checks with the help of divers (the investment project for 2006 provides for the acquisition of a small tonnage patrol boat for ship checks and the patrolling of the water area of Klaipėda see port, including an appropriate diver equipment that will allow the staff of the customs to perform the checks of the underwater part of

ships.

Lithuanian customs opened 5 pre-trial investigations on drug smuggling and 1 pre-trial investigation on illicit possession of narcotic substances, 19 persons were detained in 2004.

State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of Interior in 2004 participated in the operation Aguona, during which illegal planted areas, drug addict slums, etc. were detected.

The officers from the State Border Guard under the Ministry of Interior took part in the training under the PHARE project in 2004.

The year 2004 witnessed 6 cases of detention of narcotic (psychotropic) substances, 12 persons were detained, including 11 men and 1 woman. All the detainees were the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania, 6 criminal cases were filed.

Program management audit according to the Law on State Control (the Official Gazette Žin., 1996, No.51-1243; 2001, No. 112-4070) is performed by the State Control of the Republic of Lithuania.

I. ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF THE PRIORITY DIRECTION OF PRIMARY DRUG ADDICTION PREVENTION AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania devoted major attention and allocated funds for the primary prevention of drug addiction among children and young people in 2004 in total - 3 million 10 thousand litas, including:

- to form a negative attitude of the public to the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances, in particular to ensure drug prevention in the family, among children and young people, to inoculate values and attitudes of healthy lifestyle among children and young people (Program Item 26.1) total – LTL 1, 700, 074.

(including for targeted occupation and socialization of children - LTL 900 thousand, teacher training - LTL 200 thousand, organizing primary prevention of drug addiction in comprehensive schools – LTL 230 thousand, preparation and distribution of methodological material intended for parents and teachers on how to identify persons using drugs or psychotropic substances, etc – LTL 14.62 thousand).

- to develop mutual cooperation among state institutions carrying out prevention of drug addiction and drug control, non-governmental organizations and the public. (Program Item 26.2) – LTL 1,251,062 (including LTL 1 million 209 thousand to the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. (The Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania used LTL 1,209 thousand to employ the staff of the Drug Control Department in 2004, the staff of the Department took introductory and refresher courses for public servants, participated in international seminars and conferences, implemented strategic tasks of the Department. Drug information office Focal Point was established according to the requirements of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The reconstruction of the premises of the Drug Control Department was carried out; vehicles, organization equipment, and office furniture were purchased to ensure the activity of the Department) and LTL 42.62 thousand were used by the Ministry of Health to organize the training of team work and seminars on the issues of drug prevention in the counties).

- to encourage initiatives of municipal and regional government institutions in dealing with the problems of drug addiction prevention and drug control (Program Item 26.3) - LTL 57.64 thousand

(to the Ministry of Health to strengthen administrative capacities of drug addiction prevention in order to coordinate the issues under its competence).

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania provided for the measures to implement the Program in 2004 but did not allocate any funds:

- to implement a measure for drug control and drug addiction prevention in the army

(provided for the Ministry of National Defense, the army – Program Item 26.1);

- to prepare a model of the organisation of drug addiction prevention conflict and crisis management for the staff in schools (provided for the Ministry of Education and Science – Program Item 26.1);

- to prepare and implement a complex prevention education program for pupils and their families, approved by the Order of the Minister of Education and Science (provided for the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour – Program Item 26.1);

- to organize occupation of pupils by involving them in the activity of day centres. (provided for the Ministry of Education and Science and for the Ministry of Social Security and Labour – Program Item 26.1);

- to prepare and include into curricula of comprehensive schools a separate course on the harm of narcotic substances, alcohol and tobacco on human health and the public, to prepare methodological recommendations for social workers and psychologists employed in schools (provided for the Ministry of Education and Science - Program Item 26.1);

- to ensure the activity of the Commissions on Drug Control in all municipalities, in order to administer drug control and drug addiction prevention programs of counties and municipalities (provided for the administration of County Governors and municipalities – Program Item 26.3);

- to organize municipality forums, discussions on drug addiction prevention (provided for municipality Commissions on Drug Control – Program Item 26.3);

Implementing the Order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania of 17 September 2004, No. ISAK-1462, on the Prevention of Delinquency, Non-Attendance at School, the Use of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances, HIV/AIDS, Violence and Crime (Žin., 2004, No. 145-5281), the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania has approved a schedule of the activity and the formation of prevention activity groups in schools and prevention activity coordination groups in municipalities, which establishes the formation of prevention activity groups in schools and prevention activity coordination groups in municipal administration and their functions in organizing prevention activity in schools and municipalities by the Order of 9 December 2004, No. ISAK 1970 on the Approval of the Formation of Prevention Activity Groups in Schools and Prevention Activity Coordination Groups in Municipalities and the Direction of their Activity. (Žin., 2004, No. 184-6824), in order to ensure children’s rights their security and wellbeing. The aim of the prevention activity groups in schools (hereinafter – activity groups) is to deal with the issues of prevention activity in schools carrying out the prevention of delinquency, the use of alcohol, tobacco, narcotic and psychotropic substances, violence, trafficking in human beings, crime, and HIV/AIDS and organizing the provision of assistance to pupils, teachers, and parents (guardians). Prevention activity coordination groups of municipality administration (hereinafter – coordination groups) aim at the coordination of the cooperation among institutions providing methodological, information, consultative, and objective assistance for prevention activity groups in schools, irrespective of their subordination or ownership types.

The information presented shows that in 2004, Commissions on Drug Control performed their activity in some municipalities: Anykščiai, Elektrėnai, Kaunas, Panevėžys district, Šilutė district.

In other municipalities similar commissions were only being established.

In 2004 discussions, meetings were held in municipalities, joint projects were implemented and opinion polls conducted with the help of foreign partners and non-governmental organizations.

The major part of projects and measures for the prevention of drug addiction in municipalities in 2004 were implemented by educational institutions with the funding of project activity received from the Ministry of Education and Science, Information Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and municipalities.

Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has conducted an analysis in 2004 on the implementation of the measures for drug control and prevention of drug addiction in municipalities and the process of establishing the Commissions on Drug Control. According to the findings of the Department, in the beginning of the year 2005, Commissions on Drug Control were in operation in 57 municipalities.

It was indicated that public health centres in cities and districts also performed prevention activities in 2004 through different operations, seminars, publications, conferences, radio and television programs, consultations, exhibitions, and booklets.

For example, 422 events were held and also opinion polls conducted on the topic of the prevention of drug addiction in Utena County in 2004. The Public Health Centre in Šiauliai organized 188 lectures-discussions, Klaipėda Public Health Centre presented 12 seminars and operations; Kaunas Public Health Centre had 10 seminars, etc.

II. ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF THE PRIORITY OF REDUCING THE ILLICIT SUPPLY OF NARCOTIC AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania devoted major attention and allocated funds in the amount of 650 thousand litas to the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior in 2004 to reduce the illicit supply of narcotic and psychotropic substances.

It includes the funds for the measures:

to improve the activity of law enforcement institutions with the view of reducing the supply of drugs and hindering their availability (Program Item 26.4) –

to supply the investigators in charge of rural areas with special forensic research bags (50 thousand litas);

to supply the divisions of Drug Control of Organized Crime Investigation Service of Criminal Police with primary drug test kits;

to purchase substances for drug tests (standards), that are required for the analysis of narcotic substances (10 thousand litas);

to improve material facilities of the divisions of drug control and prevention of drug addiction (590 thousand litas);

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania provided for the measures but did not allocate any funds in 2004:

1) to improve the activity of law enforcement institutions with the view of reducing the supply of drugs and hindering their availability (Program Item 26.4):

- increased efforts in combating the supply and demand of narcotic and psychotropic substances in military units (a measure provided for the army);

- collecting information, making contacts with companies and chemical laboratories that manufacture or import substances that can be used for the illicit circulation of drugs, as well as companies that trade in such substances, controlling them (provided measure for the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior, State Medicines Control Agency under the Ministry of Health, Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance, and State Security Department);

- increased efforts in controlling illicit circulation of drugs in the places for entertainment of young people (the measure provided for Police Department under the Ministry of Interior);

2) to ensure efficient management, control of, and coordination of mutual actions among state institutions carrying out drug addiction prevention and drug control ( Program Item 26.8):

- to organize and implement joint measures of Prison Department under the Ministry of Justice and Police Department under the Ministry of Interior for reinforcing drug control in imprisonment (custody) and corrective institutions (for Prison Department under the Ministry of Justice and Police Department under the Ministry of Interior);

- to enhance cooperation between State Security Department and respective foreign services in the area of control of illicit international drug circulation through exchange of information and joint operations (for State Security Department);

- to improve cooperation with the Commissions on Drug Control of municipalities (for Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania);

3) to create conditions for persons suffering from drug addition who have committed minor crimes to replace criminal liability with alternative treatment programs (Program Item 26.9):

to prepare of a Draft Order on the Approval of the Rules for Detoxication, Treatment, and Monitoring of Indemnified Drug Addicts (measure provided for Prison Department under the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health - Implementing this measure the Prison Department under the Ministry of Justice has prepared a draft legal act - on the Approval of the Rules for Detoxication, Treatment, and Monitoring of Indemnified Drug Addicts and submitted it for coordination to the institutions concerned).

Over the last 5 years the number of registered criminal acts related to illicit circulation of drugs has doubled. Compared to the year 2003 the ratio of criminal acts related to illicit circulation of drugs in the total amount of registered criminal acts has grown by 0.5 per cent (0.6 per cent - over the last 5 years).

In 2004, 161 criminal acts related to illicit drug circulation were registered in places of imprisonment (96 – in 2003 and 113 – in 2002). 22 persons were detained in the cases when drugs had been detected and the owner unrevealed. The largest amount of drugs was found in parcels without sender address or with non-existent sender names indicated.

869 persons were detained in 2004 (580 - in 2003) for criminal acts related to the possession of narcotic or psychotropic substances, including 147 women, 3 foreign citizens and 23 persons without any citizenship. There is no information on the percentage of persons repeatedly detained during the same year.

386 persons were detained in 2004 for illicit trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances, including 97 women, and 12 minors. The number of minors who have committed criminal acts related to illicit drug circulation has been increasing – 49 persons or 6 per cent of all detained persons (37 – in 2003 and 15 – in 2002).

Since 2002 the spread of the substances of ATS type has been growing rapidly in Lithuania. The amount of this substance detected and seized in 2004 is 9 per cent larger than in 2003. In places of imprisonment in 2004, 28 out of 161 cases of seizure were of amphetamine, 45 – metamphetamine, and 5 cases of ecstasy.

Cannabis is becoming increasingly popular; the popularity has increased three times since 2002. The market of poppies and their parts has decreased. The market of Diazepam and other medicinal substance users has remained stable.

Over the 5 years there have been 200 times more registered cases of the withdrawal of metamphetamine substance. There were 60 cases known in 2004 when citizens of the Republic of Lithuania were detained for illicit drug trafficking in foreign countries in 2004 (62 cases – in 2003).

The measures in the area of drug control and drug addiction prevention in the State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of Interior were implemented with the help of general appropriations of the institution.

III. ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF THE PRIORITY DIRECTION OF HEALTH CARE, REHABILITATION, AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF NARCOTIC AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE USERS

In order to achieve a tactical objective of the Program to create a common system for early drug addiction diagnosing, treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration into society in order to help persons who are dependant on drugs (Program Item 25.2), the Government of the Republic of Lithuania provided for a measure under the same title in 2004 and allocated the main funds for the Program in the amount of 7 million 431 thousand litas.

Including:

- to allocate funds for the development of psychological and social rehabilitation services through tender – 668 thousand litas (to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour);

- to improve the activity of the existing Centers for Addictive Disorders, to expand the access of children and teenagers to inpatient and outpatient treatment services – 6 million 763 thousand litas.

3,232.3 1,040 1,461 470 560

To Vilnius Centre for Addictive Disorders To Kaunas Centre for Addictive Disorders To Klaipėda Centre for Addictive Disorders To Šiauliai Center for Addictive Disorders To Panevėžys Centre for Addictive Disorders

- to develop early diagnosing and identification of persons suspected of intoxication with narcotic substances (the purchase of tests) 30 thousand litas were allocated to the Ministry of Health.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania has provided for the following measures to implement the Program (Program Item 25.2) but did not allocate any funds in 2004:

- to prepare a draft order by the Minister of Health on the approval of the rules for the payment for abstinence treatment;

- to prepare a draft order on the approval of the rules for the provision of medical and social rehabilitation services for persons with addictive disorders (the measures were provided for the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, County Governors);

- to analyze and assess the effectiveness of outpatient and inpatient treatment and rehabilitation of persons with drug addiction disorders (the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour);

- to prepare the annexes to the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Mental Health Care and the

Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Narcological Care, that legalize the treatment of children and teenagers with drug addiction disorders according to immediate medical indications in order to prevent the spread of drug addiction among children (the implementation of the measures were provided for the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania).

The Ministry of Health has not provided for and has not allocated any funds from the Program for the issue of certificates of medical examination to test inebriation.

Treatment is individual for every patient and its duration is different. There are differences in the duration of treatment and whether it was an inpatient or outpatient treatment and what rehabilitation program was applied for a particular person.

For example, according to Vilnius Centre for Addictive Disorders, the duration of inpatient treatment in the Centre is 118.1 days. An average duration of inpatient abstinence treatment from drug dependence is 10.9 days. An average duration of inpatient psychotherapy treatment (Minnesota Program) is 26.0 days. Outpatient treatment and rehabilitation of patients had a different duration in different rehabilitation programs.

83 cases of hepatitis C were identified in 2004, including 19 cases resulting from the use of intravenous drugs (31 out of 97 cases due to the use of intravenous drugs – in 2003, 117 – in 2001, 55 – in 2002); 187 cases of hepatitis B, including 29 cases resulting from the use of intravenous drugs, (38 out of 175 cases due to the use of intravenous drugs – in 2003, 162 cases – in 2001, 72 cases – in 2002).

In 2004, 135 new cases of HIV (HIV – human immunodeficiency virus) infection were identified (397 cases – in 2002, 110 cases – in 2003).

Similarly to the previous year, in 2004 the most common reason for the spread of HIV in Lithuania (101 person) was the use of intravenous drugs, 83 (out of 110) persons contracted HIV in this way in 2003. The average age of persons who contracted HIV in 2004 due to the use of intravenous drugs was 30 years.

The Majority of them live in Klaipėda County – 61 persons, in Šiauliai County – 10, in Kaunas County – 7, in Vilnius County – 7, Marijampolė County – 4, Telšiai County – 3. Two people possibly contracted HIV in Alytus House of Correction, 5 infected persons were foreigners (mostly citizens of Latvia).

In the period 1998 – 2004, 980 people with HIV infection were identified.

38 cases of death due to the use of narcotic or psychotropic substances were registered in 2004.

In the period of 1996 – 2000 the mortality rate resulting from the use of narcotic or psychotropic substances doubled (from 23 to 45 cases per year), in the period 2001-2004 the rate became stable (from 35 to 38 cases). In 2003, 40 cases of death were registered.

Pursuant to the Order of the Minister of Health of 22 December 1997, No. 702, on The Approval of the Procedure for the Application of Substitution Therapy to Patients Dependant on Opioids (Žin., 1998, No. 13-326) the procedure of substitution therapy for patients is applied.

Appendix 1 of the above mentioned Order on the Procedure for the Application of Substitution Therapy to Patients Dependant on Opioids requires that a patient and a doctor conclude the agreement establishing rights and obligations of both parties. Side effects and consequences of its use are introduced to the patient.

According to point 6 Appendix 3 of this Order The Procedure of Methadone Prescription, Storage and Accounting in Healthcare Institutions the senior doctor or a person appointed by his order is in charge of the rational use, storage, issuing to patients and accounting of Methadone.

Point 1.2 of the Order of the Minister of Health of 25 September 1998, No. 544, on the Approval of Bylaws for the Law on Narcological Care (Žin., 1998, No. 86-24070) established the procedure regarding the presenting of healthcare institutions with information about narcological patients, health condition of persons abusing psychotropic substances, its forecasts, provided personal healthcare services.

Patients treated with substitution therapy are subject to the same social restrictions as other persons included in narcological register monitoring group. Restrictions are controlled by the Consultative Commission of Doctors (CCD).

Patient treatment plan is revised every three months under the control of CCD. The conclusions of the Commission about the efficiency of the treatment are included in medical documents.

Methadone dose is determined by the doctor of the patient based on objective and subjective symptoms of clinical abstinence. Individual dose of the day determined individually and ranging from 20 to 120 mg can be adjusted as the treatment progresses. Various sources recommend an average methadone dose of approximately 80 mg which effectively blocks receptors of opioids.

In 2004, methadone solution was not being prepared in the Republic of Lithuania. The solution ready for use was imported (manufacturer – Nygomed Pharma, Norway).

CCD establishes priorities of the substitution therapy. Following instructions of the head of the medical institution, priority is given to those who are directed from the AIDS Centre of Lithuania (infected with HIV/AIDS), ill with infectious diseases (tuberculosis), pregnant women, and patients with serious somatic illnesses.

Methadone programme participants are referred to as narcological patients.

CCD also makes decisions on the procedure for take-away of medications (medications personally issued to patients for home use).

Pursuant to point 8.1 of the Order of the Minister of Health of 23 March 1998, No. 154 on the Provisions of the State Medical Audit Inspection under the Ministry of Health the State Medical Audit Inspection performs the state control and expertise of legal and natural persons of all ownership forms providing personal healthcare, accessibility of provided services, quality (eligibility) and economic efficiency.

However, the Inspection is not authorised to check the concentration of methadone solution and the procedure for storage and disposal of narcotic and psychotropic substances in Centres of Addictive Disorders, Mental Health Centres, hospitals and pharmacies.

The State Medicines Control Agency and the Department of Pharmacy under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania do not perform the assessment of prescription and use of narcotic and psychotropic substances in the Republic of Lithuania.

In 2004 there were cases recorded when public pharmacies did not respect psychotropic medications storage requirements. Pharmacies were authorised to eliminate the drawbacks.

In 2004 the implementation of the procedure for storage, issuance and disposal of narcotic and psychotropic substances in Vilnius and Kaunas Centres for Addictive Disorders was not checked.

Moreover, in 2004, the implementation of the procedure for storage, issuance and disposal of narcotic and psychotropic substances in institutions subordinate to the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior was not checked.

171 persons were hospitalised in personal healthcare institutions (which concluded contracts with territorial Patient’s Fund) due to the poisoning with narcotics and psychodisleptics TLK-10-T40 in 2004 (2801 hospitalisation cases).

283 persons were hospitalised due to mental and behaviour disorders while using psychoactive substances TLK-10-F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F18, F19 (except alcohol and tobacco) in 2004 (387 hospitalisation cases). Calculations made on the basis of final diagnosis.

In 2004, 41 outpatients addressed personal healthcare institutions due to the poisoning with narcotics and psychodisleptics according to TLK-10-T40 (number of cases - 43). 908 outpatients appealed due to mental and behaviour disorders while using psychoactive substances TLK-10-F11, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F18, F19 (except alcohol and tobacco).

In 2004, in healthcare institutions among patients under 18 undergoing treatment from drug addiction 54 were children, of these 12 were girls. Among patients – children 28 children (51 percent) were taking opioids (heroin), 16 children (29.6 percent) were using volatile substances (mostly glue), 5 children (9.2 percent) – stimulants (ecstasy, amphetamine), 1 (1.8 percent) – cannabis, 2 (3.7 percent) – hallucinogens, 2 children (3.7 percent) were using several narcotics simultaneously. ‘Street children’ remain one of the most problematic groups among children using psychoactive substances.

The State Medical Audit Inspection under the Ministry of Health informed the Commission that in 2004 it did not perform any checks with regard to legitimacy and validity of medical prescriptions for narcotic and psychotropic substances.

The Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania stated that it did not analyse nor assess functional descriptions, material-technical condition and situation management capabilities, efficiency criteria, specialist controlled fund’s analysis, substantiality analysis of fees for provided services of institutions working in the fields of drug control and drug addiction prevention, drug addiction detoxification, treatment and rehabilitation.

According to the data of the Ministry of Health, in 2004 Centres of Addictive Disorders (hereinafter referred to as CAD) state budget funds were allocated only for the implementation of Programme measures intended for adults, but no funds were allocated to provide services for children (except Kaunas CAD – approximately LTL 32,000).

For example, Vilnius CAD was allocated LTL 3,32, 300 (LTL 319, 800 used for the improvement of infrastructure, LTL 214, 800 – for medications, applied substitution therapy for 155 persons, LTL 91, 800 was allocated to methadone programme),

Kaunas CAD was allocated LTL 885, 000 (LTL 279, 500 used for the improvement of infrastructure, LTL 10, 000 – for medications, applied substitution therapy for 107 persons, LTL 50,000 was allocated to methadone programme),

Klaipėda CAD was allocated LTL 1,341,400 (LTL 172,800 used for the improvement of infrastructure, LTL 35, 900 – for medications, applied substitution therapy for 114 persons, LTL 7,300 was allocated to methadone programme, of which LTL 3,500 were allocated to maintenance of staff),

Šiauliai CAD was allocated LTL 893,600 000 (LTL 294,700 used for the improvement of infrastructure, LTL 25,000 – for medications, LTL 0 was allocated to methadone programme),

Panevėžys CAD was allocated LTL 507,300 (LTL 231,400 used for the improvement of infrastructure, LTL 13,600 – for medications, applied substitution therapy for 60 persons, LTL 24,400 was allocated to methadone programme, of which LTL 19,800 was allocated to maintenance of staff),

State budget funds were allocated to activities of these institutions through county administrations. While Vilnius CAD was allocated state budget funds through the municipality.

Funds for the implementation of the Programme in CAD were allocated from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (funds were not allocated for children, except Panevėžys CAD – for the maintenance of the position of the doctor of children and adolescents).

IV. ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING OF THE PRIORITY DIRECTION OF RESEARCH, INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIALIST TRAINING

In 2004, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania allocated LTL 446,000 for the implementation of the task of the Programme – development of a system conforming with the EU requirements for the collection and the analysis of objective information on drug prevention and drug control (Programme item 26.5).

Of these to measures:

- to assess implementation efficiency of supported projects for psychologic and social rehabilitation (LTL 10,000 for the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, provided for the measure but did not allocate funds to the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania);

- to organise profession improvement courses, draft and implement requalification and training programmes for employees of various specialisations working in the field of drug addiction prevention and drug control (LTL 100,000 to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, LTL 10,000 to the Ministry of Education and Science, provided for the measure but did not allocate funds to the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior);

- draft and implement training programmes for medicine specialists, social workers, teachers, psychologists (LTL 226,000 to the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Health, LTL 10,000 for the Ministry of Social Security and Labour);

- to provide organisational equipment to public health centres working in the field of drug addiction prevention (LTL 100,000 to the Ministry of Health).

However, even though the Government of the Republic of Lithuania provided for measures for part of the Programme item 25.2 that envisages the development of a system conforming with the EU requirements for the collection and the analysis of objective information on drug prevention and drug control, it did not allocate funds.

In 2004, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Programme item 25.2) did not allocate any funds for the following measures:

- to draft the approval project of the order on The Rules for the Exchange of Information on New Synthetic Drugs of the director of the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (responsible executive institutions – the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of health, the State Medicines Control Agency under the Ministry of Health, the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance. The above mentioned measure was prepared by the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania);

- to participate in the International European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs

(responsible executive institution – the Ministry of Education and Science which summarised the results of ESPAD 2003 and published 1,000 copies);

- to collect and analyse epidemiological data according to the requirements of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (hereinafter referred to as - EMCDDA) appointed responsible executive institutions - the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Health, the Statistics Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior, The Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the Institute of Legal Medicine the Lithuanian academy of Law. The Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania analysed the information about epidemiological indicators and included it in its annual report, as well as initiated a representative survey of harmful habits that was carried out by the survey group RAIT);

-with the help of mass media to provide the public society with information about the ongoing drug addiction prevention and drug control activities (the above mentioned measure overlaps with direct functions of institutions, the programme of the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania called Good Health – the Cause of Success. Following the Order of the Minister of Health the programme for promotion of healthy way of living for school children was prepared and implemented in 2004. This programme called Good Health – the Cause of Success was implemented by the Drug Control Department together with the Ministry of Health (LTL 195,120));

- to prepare and publish an annual announcement about the condition of drug addiction prevention and drug control in Lithuania according to the requirements of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania that published 1,000 copies);

- to establish drug addiction prevention information system according to the requirements of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior, the State Youth Affairs Council);

- to organise training of customs officials and seminars on drug detection and identification (responsible executive institution – Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance. The above mentioned measure overlaps with the measure of illicit drug circulation control measure);

- to ensure the functioning of the information system for legal circulation of narcotic, psychotropic substances and precursors in Lithuania (the Ministry of Health, the State Medicines Control agency under the Ministry of Health);

- to organise monitoring of drug prevention projects, establish computerised analytical information database of drug prevention (responsible executive institutions - the Ministry of Education and Science, the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. On the basis of reports lodged by Education Departments of municipalities the Ministry of Education and Science performed the data analysis only about the projects implemented by Education Departments of town and district municipalities as well as individual schools (other educational institutions – collegiums, universities – were not surveyed. The Drug control Department collected information about prevention projects implemented in 2004 and published it in its internet database of projects));

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania included provisions on international co-operation (Programme item 29, Programme chapter VIII) into the priority direction of research and information system development. The above mentioned provisions envisage facilitation of international co-operation on all levels by promoting the development of direct contacts between institutions responsible for drug addiction prevention and drug control and their representatives and relevant institutions of other countries.

However, in 2004 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania did not allocate funds for these measures (Programme item 29, Programme chapter VIII) to responsible executive institutions:

to participate in the activities of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (the only executive institution was the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania even though this task was also delegated to the Ministry of Health, the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior);

to provide statistical data to of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania which provided this data);

to participate in the activities of REITOX information system (the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania participated);

to participate in the activities of ‘Pompidou’ group, the Council of Europe ((the Drug Control Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania participated);

to participate in the activities of the European Commission Horizontal Group for Fight Against Drugs (the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior and the Drugs Department under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania);

to participate in Europol activities (the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior).

In this way the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in 2004 allocated:

- LTL 3,010,000 to the primary drug addiction prevention among children and adolescents;

- LTL 650,000 to reduction of supply of illicit narcotic and psychotropic substances;

- LTL 7,431,000 to healthcare, rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons using narcotic and psychotropic substances (allocated to Centres of addictive Disorders and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour);

- LTL 446,000 to the development of research and information system;

The total funding allocated to the implementation of Programme measures amounted to LTL 11,091,000.

The State Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program implementing the policy and principles of drug control and prevention of drug addiction includes priority areas and provides for the main directions to carry out drug control and prevention of drug addiction.

The analysis of the funding of measures shows that the following major tasks provided for in Item 26.6 and 26.7 of the Program are not included into the measures for the implementation of the Program:

1. Promotion of international cooperation in the area of drug control and prevention of drug addiction based on regional and national projects and programs. (Item 26.6);

2. ensuring the implementation of measures aimed at prevention of laundering of money earned from illicit circulation of drugs (Item 26.7).

The Government of Lithuania provided for the implementation measures but did not allocate any funds to implement the main tasks provided for in the Item 26.5, 26.8, and 26.9 of the Program:

2. Ensuring coordination of efforts, effective management and control of the state bodies responsible for drug prevention and drug control (item 26.8);

3. Creation of favourable conditions for the substitution of criminal charges by alternative treatment programmes in cases where substance abusers are charged with minor offences (item 26.9).

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania provided for the measures for implementation of the Program in 2004 but only allocated partial funding to:

the development of a system conforming with the EU requirements for the collection and analysis of objective information on drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.5);

The Drug Control Department under the Government of Lithuania submitted the following conclusions and recommendations:

1. With the view of ensuring effective use of assignations allocated for the purpose of implementation of primary prevention of drug addiction, the management of such assignations should be centred in the hands of a single institution. This would allow to implement the main primary prevention priorities consistently, ensure the quality and continuity of the program and implement harmonised methods for the evaluation of effectiveness of the program measures.
2. The procedures for the financing, accounting and control of the State Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program should be established in order to use the assigned allocations in a targeted and economic way so that the funds were not used to finance the measures falling within the scope of other programmes.
3. In order to encourage the local municipal institutions to implement the Drug Control and Drug Prevention Programs in local communities, cooperation of financial and human resources is needed with the needs of the local community taken into consideration.
4. Bearing in mind the continuity of the State Drug Control and Drug Prevention Program for 2004 –2008 we propose to discuss the possibility to draft and approve the implementation measures for the programme for 2007 – 2008.
5. The measures for implementation to be established by the institutions should be based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the attained results.

Conclusions of the Commission:

1. The strategic goals of the program which were intended to stop and reduce the spread of drug addiction, to establish and implement the state policy areas and guidelines for action within the field of drug prevention and control and to increase the effectiveness of drug addiction prevention in Lithuania are essentially right but in implementing the Program the following failures took place:

• a reduction in the speed of spread of drug addiction and drug supply has not been achieved;

• an effective drug control and prevention system has not been created, necessary conditions for the selection and implementation of effective measures for the reduction of the economic and social harm brought on by drug addiction have not been created;

• healthcare, rehabilitation and social reintegration system for the persons using narcotic and psychotropic substances has not been established;

• cooperation between institutions and coordination of actions in all sectors has not essentially improved and therefore a safer human environment has not been created.

2. Therefore, we think that we continue to face the following most important tasks:

• formation of a negative public attitude towards the use of drugs and psychotropic substances with focus on drug prevention within the family, in children and young people, promotion of the value of healthy lifestyles in children and young people (Program item 26.1);

• development of cooperation between the state institutions responsible for drug prevention and drug control, public organisations and the community at large (Program item 26.2);

• encouragement of initiatives by municipal and regional authorities for tackling the problems of drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.3);
• improvement of the activities of law enforcement authorities aimed at reducing drug supply by impeding the availability of drugs (Program item 26.4);
• development of a system conforming with the EU requirements for the collection and analysis of objective information on drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.5);
• enhancement of international cooperation on drug prevention and drug control within the framework of regional and national projects and programmes (Program item 26.6);
• ensuring the implementation of measures aimed at prevention of laundering of money earned from illicit circulation of drugs (Program item 26.7);
• ensuring coordination of efforts, effective management and control of the state bodies responsible for drug prevention and drug control (Program item 26.8);
• creation of favourable conditions for the substitution of criminal charges by alternative treatment programmes in cases where substance abusers are charged with minor offences (Program item 26.9).

3. The Program remains to contain 4 priority areas for drug control and prevention:

Primary drug prevention in children and young people;

Reduction of supply of illicit narcotic and psychotropic substances;

Healthcare, rehabilitation and social integration of users of narcotic and psychotropic substances;

Information system development and research.

4. Recommendation should be made to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to allocate the required funding for the implementation of the priority areas for drug control and prevention. In 2004 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania allocated a total of 11 million and 91 thousand litas for the implementation of the Program.

In Commission’s opinion, the funding criteria are unclear and most important priority areas of drug control and prevention received an inadequately low amount of funding:

• primary drug addiction prevention in children and young people received as little as 3 million and 10 thousand litas, or 27 percent of funding;

• reduction of supply of illicit narcotic and psychotropic substances received as little as 650 thousand litas or 6 percent;

• healthcare, rehabilitation and social integration of users of narcotic and psychotropic substances received a significant total of 7 million and 431 thousand litas (for the Centres for Addictive Disorders and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour) representing 63 percent;

• Information system development and research received 446 thousand litas or 4 percent, but the funds were not indented for research.