Armenia reports increase in female drug addiction cases

ArmInfo. Armenia has registered an increase in the number of women suffering  from drug addiction, according to Gayane Vardazaryan, Deputy Director for Treatment at the National Center for Addiction Treatment, during a press conference on June 26.

Citing data from the center, she noted that the number of women  undergoing treatment for drug addiction has risen by 8% over the past  five years. Overall, the total number of patients receiving treatment  at the National Center has increased by 6.3% during the same period.

Vardazaryan also reported the presence of minors among the patients.  While the number of underage patients is not trending  upward—fluctuating between six and nine individuals annually over the  last five years—she emphasized that "this is a more than serious  challenge for our society." In total, more than one thousand people  have received treatment at the center over the past five years.

Vardazaryan noted that the increase in patient numbers is due to  several factors. First and foremost, public awareness of treatment  options is increasing, leading to more people seeking medical help.  Furthermore, increased public awareness is contributing to this  increase.

The specialist also cited easier access to drugs as a factor. She  noted that their distribution is increasingly taking place through  social media, and the affordability of synthetic drugs is fueling  demand in Armenia.  Specifically, approximately 60-70% of patients at  the National Center are treated for addiction to synthetic drugs.

Treatment at the National Center is provided free of charge. As of  March 1, 2026, methadone substitution maintenance therapy is also  offered for free, with 630 patients currently enrolled in the  program. 

It should be noted that, according to the Ministry of Internal  Affairs, 1,313 drug-related crimes were registered in Armenia in the  first five months of 2026, with 1,269 involving illegal drug  trafficking. In the same period of 2025, 1,325 similar crimes were  detected. The crime detection rate for this category increased to  52.7%, compared to 50.9% the year before.

The number of drug-related crimes amounted to 757, compared to 802 in  the first five months of last year.  The detection rate increased  from 19.3% to 21%.

Law enforcement agencies reported the seizure of 243 kg of various  narcotic substances, a figure several times higher than that of the  same period last year. Additionally, the number of identified cases  involving the distribution of synthetic drugs has nearly tripled.