Representatives of Moldova Republican Drug Dependence Treatment Centre and State Medical University “N. Testemitanu”/Department of Psychiatry, Narcology and Medical Psychology take part in the International Conference “Ukrainian Society and Drugs: Building New Strategic Approach” on May 21-23, 2012, in Kyiv, Ukraine. The event is organized by the State Drug Control Service of Ukraine, in partnership with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Pompidou Group/Council of Europe and other governmental and international agencies. Moldovan delegation attendance at this event is supported by UNODC project in the Republic of Moldova “Strengthening national capacities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to address HIV/AIDS in vulnerable populations”, and by Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

The purpose of the scientific conference is to disseminate the latest scientific research on contemporary medicine and drug dependence treatment and care in order to obtain most effective interventions to address HIV epidemics among injecting drug users. The organizers are expecting the event to be a start of an on-going dialogue towards a sustained exchange of good practices between international experts and professionals from Eastern and Central Europe.

The conference is expected to have a big regional impact due to gathering internationally recognized experts on drug dependence treatment and care as well as national experts from Ukraine and other participating countries.  Among participants there are practitioners, policy makers and academicians in the fields of law enforcement, drug control, health and social services, HIV/AIDS prevention programs from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa.

The expected conference outcome is increased awareness and exchange of knowledge among policy makers, scientists and practitioners on evidence-based drug dependence treatment and HIV prevention and care among people who use drugs. Experts will present their latest results of their scientific research, so there is a unique opportunity to listen the latest scientific data and analysis regarding drug treatment, especially Opioid Substitution Treatment.