Law Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs

Article offers mechanism of cooperation between police and NGOs in the area of drug crime combating. The aim of the mechanism is to redirect the drug addicts detected or taken into custody by the police to relevant NGOs providing social and medical support along with implementation of programs for drug damage reduction (non-medical use). It is identified that the key components of the mentioned mechanism are: signature of the agreements between police and NGOs with adoption of corresponding implementation plans; appointment of responsible individuals/units (representing both police and NGO); improvement of the parties’ qualification through seminars, training and work shops; establishment of redirection mechanism; involvement of drug addicts to preventive campaigns and rehabilitation programs; efficient feedback system development. The offered mechanism in case of its successful implementation will ensure: decrease the crime rate in the district (city) by involving drug addicts in preventive; cover all possible categories of drug addicts for further redirection and inclusion to rehabilitation and treatment programs (HIV/AIDS, VHC, tuberculosis etc.); decrease the risks of police staff infection with HIV/AIDS, VHC, tuberculosis etc.; improve the epidemiological conditions within the chosen location; establish close cooperation between police and NGOs with developing trust and ability to implement joint projects.