DUSHANBE, June 13, 2009, Asia-Plus — On Friday June 12, the Drug Control Agency (DCA) hosted a meeting of international working group to discuss issues related to financing of further activities of the Tajik counternarcotics agency, according to the DCA press service.
Participants at the meting that was held within the framework of implementation of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) project, Tajikistan Drug Control Agency (DCA) – Phase II, included Tajik drug control chief, program and project coordinators from UNODC Co Tajikistan, as well as senior representatives from the US Embassy in Dushanbe and heads of DCA key services.
The meeting discussed the process of implementation of events related to terms of payment of grants for the first half-year of 2009 as well as financing of the mentioned project for the second half-year. The meeting participants also heard reports on the results of work of the Tajik counter narcotics agency in January-June 2009.
The meeting also planned to finance establishment of the DCA sub-divisions in GBAO’s districts of Ishkashim and Murgab, establish the forensic examination lab in Qurghon Teppa, begin work on establishment of the DCA dog training center, financing DCA office in Takhor (Afghanistan) and solve issues related to training the drug control officers and providing technical assistance to the DCA sub-divisions, the press service said.
The Tajikistan Drug Control Agency (DCA) – Phase II Project has been designed to support the DCA becoming the lead drug enforcement agency in the country, and in developing lasting sustainable capacities to maintain operations. The project can be divided into three phases which includes the new component of widening the geographical area of operational law enforcement cooperation: (1) Institutional building 1999 – 2003; (2) Reinforcement and development of operational Law Enforcement capacity 2004 – 2007; and (3) Strengthening national and international cooperation with drug law enforcement counterparts in neighboring countries and regions 2008 – 2010.
