tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819444802156961103.post4771392629358023064..comments2023-07-13T14:06:45.974+01:00Comments on Unzipped: Gay Armenia: Decriminalisation of drug users in Armeniaartmikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819444802156961103.post-92086606005903990902008-05-03T13:49:00.000+01:002008-05-03T13:49:00.000+01:00I'd also hope that someone will launch a public aw...I'd also hope that someone will launch a public awareness campaign not only to alert people to the changes, but also to change the mentality and stigma associated with drug use. Yes, that stigma exists elsewhere, but it's even worse in countries such as Armenia and one also images that prevents drug users from making themselves known too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819444802156961103.post-39764178726010033512008-05-03T13:42:00.000+01:002008-05-03T13:42:00.000+01:00That's very big problem ("reporting to police"), O...That's very big problem ("reporting to police"), Onnik, which explains those rediculously small numbers of drug users who come to clinics to get treatment: "annually 5 people come to the clinic [in Vanadzor, 3rd city in Armenia] to get treatment".<BR/><BR/>This makes any potential prevention and treatment programmes ineffective on public health level. This is true for other 'police-sensitive' cases too when - for exactly that "reporting" reasons - many avoid seeking help in medical/health institutions preferring no treatment, private treatment or self-treatment. This situation has to change.artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3819444802156961103.post-58323393732557815732008-05-03T13:19:00.000+01:002008-05-03T13:19:00.000+01:00I wonder if there's any provision for not having h...I wonder if there's any provision for not having hospitals report drug users who seek medical treatment to the police. Until now they've apparently had to which obviously prevents drug users (and I mean injecting drug users because it's just ridiculous to even consider cannabis in the same way) from seeking help. This creates additional problems in terms of HIV/STD prevention.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, a welcome move although yes, I'm sure there will be problems in its implementation. Let's just hope not many.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com