NC recommends stronger measure to protect youth from drug risks

Neten Dorji

The National Council’s Social and Cultural Affairs Committee (SCAC) yesterday presented a comprehensive set of recommendations to address Bhutan’s escalating youth substance abuse crisis.

Of the ten proposals submitted, six received the House’s endorsement, while four were referred back to the Committee for further review and refinement.

Despite previous legislative amendments, institutional efforts, and community-based interventions, the Committee acknowledged that the issue remains complex and urgent.

Substance abuse, it warned, is undermining the potential of Bhutan’s most important asset—its people—while disproportionately affecting children, youth, and other vulnerable groups.

Youth at the centre of drug crisis

The report revealed a worrying rise in drug-related offences among young people. Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 3,678 individuals under the age of 24 were arrested for drug-related offences, making up more than half of all such arrests across the country.

According to data from the Royal Bhutan Police, authorities in 2024 seized 17,356 tablets of SP+, 1,063 tablets of N10, 1,663.69 grams of marijuana, 236 bottles of Corex, 3.06 grams of brown sugar, and 23.75 litres of thinner.

The committee identified Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along Bhutan’s international borders as the primary channels for drug trafficking. Phuentsholing’s ICP, in particular, recorded the highest volume of illegal narcotics and psychotropic substances. MP for Paro, Ugyen Tshering, stressed the need to adopt advanced technologies at key transit points. “Paro International Airport and Phuentsholing are the main gateways for drug trafficking,” he said. “It is crucial that we install the latest technology and strengthen manpower to address this issue.”

The Committee also flagged Bumthang, Haa, Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Samdrupjongkhar as dzongkhags with higher prevalence of inhalant and solvent abuse among youth.

MP for Zhemgang, Tshering Tshomo, pointed to the rapid increase in imports of potentially abusive substances.

“In 2022, the Department of Revenue and Customs recorded imports of 240,096 Kg worth Nu 37 million. This rose to 313,555 Kg valued at Nu 44 million in 2023, and to 491,518 Kg valued at Nu 48.32 million in 2024,” she said. “With increasing availability of these substances, our youth are at greater risk.”

MP for Bumthang, Kencho Tshering, said that many of these substances are easily available.

“They are commonly sold in hardware stores, furniture workshops, and construction sites,” he said. “There are no trade or industry regulations on these substances, unlike alcohol and tobacco. Sellers are not required to hold any special licence.”

MPs voiced concern about the increasing strain on detention centres, particularly in urban areas like Thimphu. Currently, there are 73 youth drug-related cases in detention, with 44 awaiting judgment for over a year. Nearly 70 percent of those detained are out on bail.

The Mitshey Yarab Lamzang rehabilitation centre has treated 253 clients since its opening in September 2023. Of these, more than 60 percent are under the age of 25, 55.73 percent are unemployed, and 12.65 percent are students.

Meanwhile, the prison-based Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment programme is serving 2,098 inmates. Among them, 41 percent are incarcerated for drug-related crimes, 15 percent are under 25, and 61 percent are aged 35 or younger.

Alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes

MPs also raised concerns about the widespread use of alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes, which they described as “gateway substances.”

MP for Mongar, Tshering Wangchen said, “Even though ‘No Smoking’ signs are displayed in public places, many people ignore them. Enforcement and reporting mechanisms remain unclear.”

The SCAC reported that the economic cost of alcohol consumption significantly outweighs the revenue generated from alcohol sales. In 2024, Bhutan’s breweries and distilleries produced over 49 million litres of alcohol. Bhutan Brewery Pvt. Ltd. alone accounted for 47.59 million litres.

Other producers included Army Welfare Project Limited (1.68 million litres), Kinjore Brewery Pvt. Ltd. (355,046 litres), Bumthang Brewery Pvt. Ltd. (23,397 litres), and Ser Bhum Brewery (653 litres). Serja Breweries Pvt. Ltd. produced 112,679 cases of alcohol in the same year.

Alcohol imports also surged to 2.89 million litres in 2024—a staggering 83 percent increase from the previous year—amounting to Nu 689.30 million in value.

Tobacco and e-cigarette imports also saw significant fluctuations. Imports peaked at Nu 1.6 billion in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped to Nu 542 million in 2023, and rose again to Nu 745 million in 2024. Correspondingly, import tax revenue rose from just Nu 332,643 in 2022 to Nu 16.87 million in 2024.

Trongsa MP Rinzin Namgyal expressed concern about increasing e-cigarette use among young people. “While tax revenue has increased, the growing consumption of e-cigarettes and vapes among youth is deeply concerning,” he said. “E-cigarettes are popular among students. We must act.”

SCAC proposals and the way forward

Key proposals include legislative reforms to strengthen enforcement; expanding the mandate of the National Drug Task Force; enhancing inter-agency coordination; allocating “sin tax” revenues in the national budget; developing a comprehensive education manual on substance abuse; improving treatment and rehabilitation services; promoting sports as a preventive tool; institutionalising recognition programmes; encouraging greater parental and societal responsibility, and supporting reintegration of youth in conflict with the law.

“Most youths suffer because they are denied security clearance before the cooling-off period ends,” MP for Bumthang, Kencho Tshering, said. “We must decide: do we let these young people drift and spoil their futures, or do we support them to rebuild their lives?”