Drug Consumption in Central Asia with a Focus on Uzbekistan in the Mirror of the Region’s History

Abstract

Background: Central Asian countries as Uzbekistan have a long history of opium consumption. In recent years, the use of opium and other drugs became epidemic. The article investigates the history of drug consumption with an emphasis on opium in the region of present-day Uzbekistan. Objectives: The paper investigates how patterns of drug consumption reflect religious, historical and political influences and are also shaped by the availability of a drug. Methods: A search of ancient literature in the Karlsruher Virtueller Katalog, in the Tashkent National Library, Leipzig University Library, German National Library, and private sources of the authors were used for the review. Search criteria were Central Asia, Uzbekistan, drugs, opium, alcohol, cannabis. For modern sources, the search engine MEDLINE was used. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted in Uzbekistan from September 2010 February 2011 and further interviews to update the data were carried out in October and November 2011. In total, 50 interviews with people IDs (injecting drugs) were conducted in the Uzbek cities of Tashkent and Urganch. Results: A tradition of moderate consumption of drugs survived and still plays a role in justifying current drug consumption among drug addicts. Such moderate consumption occurred in the past, especially among old people who used opium for pain relief and physical activation. Conclusion: Under certain circumstances moderate drug consumption can endure in a society, especially when it is linked to a particular group and stays under control. Also, with regard to prevention measures such traditions have to be taken into consideration.