The Public Defender Met with Representatives of the Commission on Drug Policy for Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia

Levan Ioseliani, the Public Defender of Georgia, along with his deputies, Elene Ghudushauri and Irine Chikhladze, met with representatives of the Commission on Drug Policy for Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia (ECECACD). This information was released by the Office of the Public Defender.

According to the Office, the meeting was attended by members of the Commission, including former European Commissioners Vytenis Andriukaitis and Andris Piebalgs; Michel Kazatchkine, Special Advisor to the World Health Organization; Pavel Bém, former Mayor of Prague; Natalia Nikitenko, a former member of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan; and Ukrainian professor Volodymyr Tymoshenko. The meeting addressed Georgia’s current drug policy and the associated challenges regarding the protection of human rights. Particular attention was paid to safeguarding the rights of people who use drugs, ensuring access to healthcare and relevant state services, and supporting the rehabilitation of individuals with drug dependency. Participants exchanged views on international experience in the field of drug policy and on approaches grounded in human rights.

The discussion also covered recent legislative amendments and their impact on the work of civil society organizations, including those focused on drug policy issues.

One of the topics discussed was a legislative amendment concerning the creation of a unified database for individuals with mental health issues and dependencies. Representatives of the Commission were briefed on the Public Defender’s assessments and the actions taken in response to this matter.

The Drug Policy Commission for Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia has been active since 2020, and... "It promotes evidence-based discussion on drug policy issues, with a particular focus on public health, human rights, and social integration," the statement reads.