The Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP) Programme in its Phase VII aims to support to Central Asian governments in the development of integrated and evidence-based drug policies and to improve access to quality drug demand reduction interventions to vulnerable groups incorporating a genderconscious perspective and human rights-based approach (HRBA) in all interventions. Společnost Podané ruce is stepping into this initiative by offering technical assistance, as outlined in contract APAS-2022-020, in order to achieve Result 2. The general objective of this result focuses on data collection, in particular on strengthening national information systems to gather and produce objective, reliable, gender sensitive and scientific standards-based information on the drug situation in Central Asia. In close cooperation with the governments of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan the technical assistance provided will bolster drug information and Early Warning Systems, especially concerning New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). This assistance aspires to amplify the efficacy of the data collection systems and methods in each of the CADAP participating countries. Enhanced data procedures will yield more dependable and thorough information, laying the foundation for evidence-informed drug strategies. Moreover, the assistance prioritises the establishment of functional early warning systems in these nations, enabling the timely detection of nascent drug-related concerns. These systems empower authorities to address emerging challenges, curbing their detrimental effects. Designed for durability, efficiency and efficacy, these systems are crafted to serve long-term operational needs.

This manual has been developed under the framework of CADAP 7, specifically Result 2: “Provide Technical Assistance Services for the improvement of data collection and analysis systems and the implementation of a Drug Early Warning System in Central Asian Countries”, and within this Result, Deliverable 3, in the context of a collaborative effort among Central Asian countries, namely Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. This collaboration aims at strengthening the capacity for EWS in the region, focusing on the surveillance of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and emerging drug phenomena. The initiative forms part of a broader objective to enhance information exchange between the National Centre for Monitoring and Prevention of Drug Abuse, National Centres for Drug Control, Coordination Centre for Combating illicit trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors, and other key ministries and institutions in these countries, thereby enabling a more effective response to new and evolving drug-related threats. Given that the implementation of EWS is in its early stages in some Central Asian countries, this manual is designed to be a critical resource that complements and enhances the information already available within the different national monitoring institutions and coordination centres. At the same time, it introduces systems that are essential for responding promptly to the dynamic nature of drug-related issues. By doing so, it aims to significantly improve the response capacity and the effectiveness of interventions among professionals working in this field.