different groups, as well as in monotherapy.180 In its report,181 the European Committee for the
Prevention of Torture refers to the need of performing regular blood tests when prescribing
Clozapine.182 In addition, it was found during visits that in many cases, Zopin was prescribed
inappropriately, during insomnia, neurotic disorders or personality disorders.
The monitoring results show that there are cases in the facilities when benzodiazepine drugs183 are
prescribed in high doses and for a long time, which poses a risk of developing addiction syndrome,
especially among prisoners with personality disorders and prisoners with a history of addiction to
psychoactive substances. It should be noted that some of the patients at Establishment No. 8 request
the prescription of benzodiazepine drugs, otherwise they threaten to harm themselves. It is a common
practice that a document should be drawn up in order to extend the use of drugs desired by prisoners
for a long time. In addition, one of the convicts in Establishment No. 14 takes several drugs subject to
special control without intervals, in a powdered form, regardless of the time prescribed, and the above
is done under video surveillance, in the presence of a nurse and prison staff. In addition, other
psychotropic drugs are dispensed all together, in the first half of the day, which makes it impossible to
check whether the convict himself/herself took the drug, gave it to others or accumulated and drank
several of them together. Taking medications without intervals, for an inappropriate purpose, may
complicate the patient's health.
Recommendations
Implementation of the mandate of the National Preventive Mechanism
Recommendation to the Minister of Justice:
Ensure the fulfillment of commitments under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and eliminate all the
restrictions and obstacles faced by the National Preventive Mechanism in terms of accessing
particular categories of personal data. In addition, brief penitentiary staff on the mandate and
powers of the National Preventive Mechanism
180
The use only one drug, one substance for treatment.
Report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture on the visit paid to Georgia on September
10-21, 2018, available in English at: <https://rm.coe.int/1680945eca> [last accessed: 17.02.2020].
182 Report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture on the visit paid to Georgia on September
10-21, 2018 (CPT/Inf (2019) 16), para. 124. The report is available in English at: <https://rm.coe.int/1680945eca>
[last accessed: 17.02.2020].
183 Any compound from the group of aromatic lipophilic amines having a characteristic cyclic structure, which
impacts the gamma- Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and is used in clinical practice as an anxiolytic, sleeping
agent and anticonvulsant. Nearly 50% of patients develop withdrawal syndrome after 6 months or more of
treatment with benzodiazepines (even in therapeutic doses).
181
64
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