The report – titled Uncovering the Dangers of Drug Use in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- was commissioned by the International Harm Reduction Project of the Open Society Institute in New York. It was based on extensive field research conducted in the region, including discussions with drug users and aid workers.

"This report is the first one that attempts to provide a real picture concerning drug use and drug trafficking in Central Asia, as there is reason to suspect that official statistics do not paint an accurate picture of what's going on," said Kasia Malinowska-Sempruch, the director of the Harm Reduction Project.

Because most people are uninformed about the dangers of IV drug use, and are reluctant to get treatment, Central Asia faces a serious public health threat in the form of a rapid rise in the number of people infected with the HIV-AIDS virus. "The findings show that there's a substantial danger of an explosion in HIV-AIDS in a region that has no mechanism in place to address such a threat," Malinowska-Sempruch said.

The study sought to identify trends in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Interviews with officials, drug users and health care workers were conducted in all three countries during July and August, 2000. The findings will be used by the International Harm Reduction Project to promote greater awareness about the situation, and to help address problems related to drug-use and drug trafficking.

A detailed analysis of patterns in each country – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – follows.