DUSHANBE, December 24, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- A document on completion of reconstruction of premises for forensic laboratory was signed at the Khatlon counternarcotic directorate in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province on December 23, according to the Drug Control Agency (DCA) press service.

The document was signed in the framework of the Tajikistan Drug Control Agency – Phase II Project.

Only specialists who have basic education in chemistry and have taken special training course on forensic narcotic testing will work with the laboratory.  The laboratory is provided with appropriate furniture and office equipment.  More than 57,000 somoni has been provided under the project for reconstruction of the lab building.

The Tajikistan Drug Control Agency  (DCA) – Phase II Project has been designed to support the DCA becoming the lead drug enforcement agency in the country, and in developing lasting sustainable capacities to maintain operations.  The project can be divided into three phases which includes the new component of widening the geographical area of operational law enforcement cooperation: (1) Institutional building 1999 - 2003; (2) Reinforcement and development of operational Law Enforcement capacity 2004 - 2007; and (3) Strengthening national and international cooperation with drug law enforcement counterparts in neighboring countries and regions 2008 - 2010.