DUSHANBE, March 29, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The state-of-the-art equipment for testing narcotics has been handed over to the forensic lab at the Khatlon counternarcotics directorate, according to the Drug Control Agency (DCA) press service.

Special thin-layer chromatogram devices and other equipment for testing narcotic drugs, purchased in Germany, have been handed over to the forensic lab on March 29.

The handover of the equipment to the forensic lab at the Khatlon counternarcotics directorate is part of the project, Tajikistan Drug Control Agency (DCA) – Phase II.

This UNODC project provides expertise, training and equipment to further increase operational capacities and results.  DCA phase II assists the Tajik government in developing management plans, legal provisions, budgets and administrative frameworks and structures required to maintain DCA from national budget sources upon completion of this project.  At the end of this Phase II, national provisions and adequately trained human resources will be in place to ensure continuation of DCA as a self-sustainable agency.