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Restricting Illicit Use and Sale of Harmful Drugs- Advice; Experiences. Reply by 23 July 2010.
Dear SE Members,
The problems related to drug abuse and illegal sale of harmful drugs has caught the attention of the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB). In view of this, the RGoB enacted Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse (NDPSSA) Act in 2005 (http://www.bnca.gov.bt/themes/acquia_marina/DownloadsBNCA/ndpssaa_bilin.pdf) (PDF, Size: 1 MB) and commissioned the Narcotic Control Board and established Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency (BNCA) in 2006. Subsequently, Narcotic Drug Law Enforcement Unit (NDLEU) was established under the aegis of the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) to contain the problem.
In spite of all these efforts, we have not been able to do much to contain these problems. For instance, a report (NDLEU) revealed that the number of abuser increased from 192 in 2006 to 418 in 2008 and 589 in 2009 and a total of 62 and 57 dealers were caught by RBP in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Furthermore by international standard it is assumed that there are ten more uncaught cases for every caught case. This means that there were over 4,180 abusers in 2008 and 5,890 in 2009, which makes almost 1% of the total population. Similarly, there were over 620 dealers in 2008 and 570 dealers in 2009.
The BNCA is working to address this problem, and I would like to request Solution Exchange members for your suggestions and advice on the following:
• What practical measures can communities, teachers and parents undertake to help users who want to quit and deal with the problems of addiction?
• What reforms do you feel are needed in the NDPSSA Act 2005 since we intend to amend the Act soon?
• What innovative advocacy measures can you suggest for drug dealers? Please also suggest mechanisms (incentives) that will guarantee information on illegal sale?
• What laws or penal provisions do you advise or suggest for this category of people? click the link to access the Penal Code of Bhutan: http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/html/act/PENAL%20CODE.pdf (PDF; Size 420 KB)
Your contributions will assist us in developing proactive strategies and penalties for illicit use and sell of harmful drugs.
Regards,
Sonam Tshering
Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency (BNCA), Thimphu
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