title: Policing, massive street drug testing and poly-substance use chaos in Georgia - a policy case study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since early 2000, intensive policing, wide scale street drug testing, and actions aimed at limiting the availability of specific drugs have been implemented in Georgia. Supporters of this approach argue that fear of drug testing and resulting punishment compels drug users to stop using and prevents youth from initiating drug use. It has been also stated that reduction in the availability of specific drugs should be seen as an indication of the overall success of counter-drug efforts. The aim of the current review is to describe the drug-related law enforcement response in Georgia and its impact on illicit drug consumption and drug-related harm.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed relevant literature that included peer-reviewed scientific articles, stand-alone research reports, annual drug situation reports, technical reports and program data. This was also supplemented by the review of relevant legislation and judicial practices for the twelve year period between 2002 and 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Every episode of reduced availability of any "traditional" injection drug was followed by the discovery/introduction of a new injection preparation. The pattern of drug consumption was normally driven by users' attempts to substitute their drug of choice through mixing together available alternative substances. Chaotic poly-substance use and extensive utilization of home-made injection drugs, prepared from toxic precursors, became common. Massive random street drug testing had little or no effect on the prevalence of problem drug use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensive harassment of drug users and exclusive focus on reducing the availability of specific drugs did not result in reduction of the prevalence of injecting drug use. Repressive response of Georgian anti-drug authorities relied heavily on consumer sanctions, which led to shifts in drug users' behavior. In most cases, these shifts were associated with the introduction and use of new toxic preparations and subsequent harm to the physical and mental health of drug consumers.
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research Centre - Alternative Georgia, 14a Nutsubidze Str., Office 2, 0177, Tbilisi, Georgia. dato@altgeorgia.ge.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Otiashvili
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research Centre - Alternative Georgia, 14a Nutsubidze Str., Office 2, 0177, Tbilisi, Georgia. mzia@altgeorgia.ge.|Business School, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. mzia@altgeorgia.ge.
authors.forename: Mzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabatadze
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Commercial Law, Free University, Tbilisi, Georgia. balanchivadzenino@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balanchivadze
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research Centre - Alternative Georgia, 14a Nutsubidze Str., Office 2, 0177, Tbilisi, Georgia. Irma@altgeorgia.ge.|Business School, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Irma@altgeorgia.ge.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kirtadze
mesh_terms: D005846:Georgia (Republic); D040261:Harm Reduction; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods*; D016495:Police / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000379:methods; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs