The objective of the “Prevention and Treatment for Drug Addicts in Prisons” project is to introduce “Atlantis” drug treatment programme in selected pilot prisons in Central Asia. At present, Central Asian countries support the “Atlantis” counseling programme and community reintegration measures for prisoners and ex-prisoners. “Atlantis” is a twelve-step programme to stop drug dependence and support further rehabilitation of addicts.

The “Atlantis” approach was introduced as official narcological treatment for drug addicts at the pilot prison in Chirchik town. Reconstruction works and equipment provided for the Centre is worth over 215,000 euros.

Based on the success of Rehabilitation Center in future the so called “Clean Zones” will be established in prisons offering better living conditions, education and vocational training for prisoners wishing to stop drug addiction. They need to abandon any drug use and undergo regular screenings to remain in the "Clean Zone".

In Uzbekistan, the two national training sessions were organized by CADAP to familiarize prison staff with the “Atlantis” approach. Uzbek representatives also participated in a study tour to Poland in May 2009 together with their Central Asian counterparts. It helped national programme partners to become acquainted with European best practices and effectiveness of “Atlantis” projects in other prisons.

The overall objective of the EU-UNDP CADAP Programme is to foster a public health approach to drug demand and an interdiction approach to drug supply in line with the European Commission drug strategies. CADAP is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP.