The Pompidou Group has launched a new project ’Developing a Drug Prevention Network for Parents and Professionals in Georgia’ in June 2022. The project will provide international expertise and technical support to Georgian authorities for translating Georgia’s first Drug Prevention Strategy (2021-2026) into concrete actions and introducing evidence-based methods and targeted programmes of prevention.

In the long term the project aims to contribute to the reduction of drug use prevalence and associated risk factors as well as to more effective prevention of drug addiction. In this respect, assistance will be provided in the design and implementation of prevention interventions and building capacities among relevant professions (education, health, social care, etc.). The project will be implemented in close cooperation with the Inter-Agency Coordinating Council on Drug Abuse, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, the National Drug Observatory and other partner institutions.

With the involvement of international and national experts, the Pompidou Group organised an assessment mission to Tbilisi on 11-13 July. The purpose of the mission was to meet project partners, discuss their needs and expectations regarding the project results and define specific activities to be implemented till the end of December 2023, end of this first project. A first Planning and Review Workshop (Project Board) will also be held with Georgian partner institutions on 21 September in Tbilisi.