KP Sharma

In a move to address the growing drug-related issues, particularly among youth, the government has launched a series of targeted initiatives aimed at addressing substance related challenges in the country.

According to the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), the country has seen a rise in drug-related cases over the past five years.

Between 2018 and 2023, Bhutan recorded 4,721 drug-related incidents, leading to the arrest of 9,552 individuals, a bigger portion of whom were youth.

Drug offenses now account for 36.5 percent of the prison population, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions.

Among the drugs, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco and certain pharmaceuticals are the most commonly abused substances in the country.

This rising trend, particularly among the youth, has sparked concerns among policymakers and the government about the potential long-term social and health implications.

In response to these alarming statistics, the government, in collaboration with various agencies, has adopted a multi-faceted approach to address the issue. One of the key initiatives is the implementation of legislative measures designed to control and regulate drug use within the country.

The Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Substance Abuse Act of 2018 provides a robust legal framework for these initiatives, establishing strict guidelines for the control and distribution of drugs.

In addition, the Cannabis Framework for Medicine, research, and export outlines the controlled use of cannabis for medical purposes and research, while also regulating its cultivation to prevent misuse.

Recognising the need for coordinated action, the government has also formed the National Drugs Task Force. This dedicated task Force is responsible for managing substance-related issues and overseeing the implementation of interventions across multiple sectors.

The task force is pivotal in executing the government’s broader strategy to reduce both the demand and supply of drugs in the country.

A major focus of this strategy is prevention, particularly through education and awareness programs targeting the youth.

The government has initiated comprehensive drug awareness campaigns aimed at the general public, with special attention given to schools.

The Health and Wellbeing Screening Programme in educational institutions is designed to detect early signs of substance abuse, enabling timely intervention.

This initiative is further bolstered by the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment programme, which has been implemented nationwide to provide early support to those at risk.

In addition to prevention efforts, the government has also expanded its treatment and rehabilitation services such as hospital-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and care programmes have been established in national, regional, and district hospitals, offering both inpatient and outpatient services.

To address the issue of recidivism among drug offenders, the government has introduced prison-based SUD treatment and care services.

This initiative aims to reduce repeat offenses by offering inmates the necessary resources and support to overcome their addictions.

Moreover, school-based SUD treatment and care services have been initiated in higher secondary schools, ensuring that young people have access to the help they need.

The establishment of residential SUD treatment and care facilities at the Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing, the Centre for Mind and Wellness, and the 200-bedded National Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

These centres offer a range of therapies and programmes designed to support long-term recovery.

Further, during a recent meeting of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme member countries, Bhutan and other member states made several recommendations aimed at mitigating the rising drug demand.

These included enhancing prevention education within families and communities, initiating earlier prevention efforts for children and adolescents, and improving the continuum of care for individuals exposed to substance use disorders.

On the supply side, discussions among member countries focused on strategies such as joint training schemes on drug supply reduction, the development of an information-sharing system for the rapid exchange of intelligence, and joint operations in border areas to curb illegal drug trafficking.

While the government has prioritised addressing drug-related issues, it faces several challenges in controlling drug inflow and enhancing prevention efforts.

According to BFDA, challenges include high youth unemployment, cross-border smuggling due to porous borders, and social stigma that discourages individuals from seeking help, which hamper early intervention.

Lack of expertise, capacity, and advanced technologies for drug detection and surveillance further complicates the efforts to tackle drug-related cases effectively.