Mirroring the rise of drug trafficking in Central Asia, there has also been an increase in the use of narcotics. Since the 90s the availability of heroin has changed the regional pattern of drug abuse, causing more intravenous use of heroin and opium and leading to more cases of HIV and AIDS. 91,600 people were registered as drug users at Central Asia dispensaries in 2009, compared to 90,100 in 2005. 69% of these registered users were injecting drug users (IDUs).UNODC estimates that the region's opiate use is much more signficant, with an estimated 343,000 users.
Percentage of narcotics use, 2009
|
Nation |
Heroin |
Opium |
Cannabis |
Poly-Drug |
|
Kazakhstan |
60% |
9% |
27% |
N/A |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
50% |
18% |
24% |
8% |
|
Tajikistan |
81% |
9% |
6% |
5% |
|
Uzbekistan |
68% |
9% |
20% |
N/A |
An analysis of drugs used by registered users in 2009 has shown the predominance of heroin, followed by cannabis-based drugs, opium, and then other substances. The cost of narcotics varies greatly throughout Central Asia.
Drug prices, 2009 (wholesale)
|
Country |
Heroin (per kg, high purity) |
Opium (per kg) |
Marijuana (per kg) |
Hashish (per kg) |
|
Kazakhstan |
$8,000 - $50,000 |
$800 - $15,000 |
$300 - $3,000 (in 2010) |
$1,000 - $15,000 (in 2010) |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
$4,000 - $12,000 |
$800 - $1,400 |
$500 - $1,200 |
$600 - $1,200 |
|
Tajikistan |
$3,000 - $8,000 |
$200 - $800 |
$50 - $950 |
$100 - $950 |
|
Turkmenistan |
$17,500 - $32,000 (in 2007) |
$3,000 – $3,500 (in 2007) |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Uzbekistan |
$7,500 - $22,000 |
$1,600 - $3,500 |
$300 - $800 |
n/a |