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Since July 1, 2012 methadone replacement therapy program (hereinafter MRT program) has been implemented in the city of Vanadzor of RA Lori region via the financial support of Global Fund and by the endorsement of the RA Ministry of Healthcare.

HCA Vanadzor office records that integration of MRT program in Vanadzor has a crucial and significant impact for exercising the right of drug addicts to healthcare. MRT program is not only the best innovation in the field of medical care of drug addicts, but also it contributes to the decline of illegal drug turnover, to the prevention of communicable diseases as well as to the stabilization of the health standing of the drug addicts, due to which the latter are back to normal life.

The number of those who applied for methadone replacement therapy from the launching of MRT program and within the first few months was 9-18, later during December, January, February months their number increased to 22-26, however, in March and April again the number of applicants dropped.

According to HCA Vanadzor, the actual number of MRT program applicants was lower than expected irrespective of the higher percentage of drug addicts throughout Lori region. One of the main issues of activities carried out by Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor is the protection of drug users’ rights.

The process of MRT implementation is under our direct oversight from the moment the MRT program was launched in Vanadzor, the goal of which is to address the factors impeding the effective implementation of the healthcare program.

In compliance with the study outcomes conducted by the Organization, the rights of MRT program applicants and persons already enrolled in the MRT to inviolability of private life and confidentiality to receive medical care are being violated by some police officials. It is not excluded that such a working style of some police officials is conditioned by the low level of awareness regarding methadone replacement therapy program.

Some police officials don’t view the MRT program, which is being implemented for the provision of medical care to drug addicts, as a healthcare program. As a result, some drug addicts fear to apply for the methadone replacement therapy program in order to avoid prosecution on the part of the police officials.

HCA Vanadzor urges the Chiefs of regional and Vanadzor city Police Departments to undertake measures for the prevention of pressures and prosecution exerted by the Police officials upon MRT program applicants and persons, receiving treatment with the program frames as well as to ensure a person’s rights to inviolability of private life and confidentiality to receive medical care.  Upon necessity, we are ready to discuss the necessary steps targeted at the elimination of factors impeding the implementation of the MRT program with the RA Police.