Georgia’s Minister of Justice, Paata Salia, met with the Chair of the East and Central Europe and Central Asia Commission on Drug Policy (ECECACD) and members of its delegation to discuss Georgia’s national drug policy priorities and approaches.

Paata Salia noted that Georgia’s drug policy is based on a four-pillar strategy aimed at preventing crime, providing treatment and rehabilitation, reducing harm, and curbing drug supply.

The Minister briefed the ECECACD delegation on the work of the Interagency Coordination Council on Drug Policy and the strategic documents guiding its activities. The discussion also covered the work of the National Drug Situation Monitoring Centre and its role in developing evidence-based drug policy.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of international cooperation, especially with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group, and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).

The meeting was also attended by First Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili and Ketevan Sarajishvili, Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation.

Minister of Justice Paata Salia introduced Ramaz Tatarashvili, the newly appointed head of the Special Penitentiary Service, to the Service’s staff.

Paata Salia wished Tatarashvili every success in his new position.

Ramaz Tatarashvili has 28 years of experience in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, primarily in managerial roles. Before his appointment as head of the Special Penitentiary Service, he served as Director of the Shida Kartli Police Department. Prior to that, he headed the Imereti Police Department.

Ramaz Tatarashvili holds the rank of Police Colonel.