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KP Sharma
In order to address the growing drug problem, especially among youth, the government has launched a series of targeted initiatives aimed at addressing drug-related challenges in the country.
According to the Bhutan Food and Drug Administration (BFDA), the number of drug cases in the country has increased over the past five years.
Between 2018 and 2023, Bhutan recorded 4,721 drug-related incidents and arrested 9,552 people, most of whom were young people.
Currently, drug offenses account for 36.5% of the total prison population, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention.
Among drugs, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco and certain medications are the most commonly abused substances in the country.
This growing trend, especially among young people, has raised concerns among policymakers and governments about its potential long-term social and health impacts.
In response to these alarming statistics, the government, in partnership with various agencies, has taken a multi-pronged approach to address the issue. One of the key initiatives is the implementation of legislative measures aimed at controlling and regulating drug use in the country.
The Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Abuse of Drugs Act, 2018 provides a strong legal framework for these initiatives, laying down strict guidelines for the control and distribution of drugs.
Additionally, the Cannabis for Medicinal Use, Research and Export Framework outlines the controlled use of cannabis for medical purposes and research, while also regulating its cultivation to prevent abuse.
Recognizing the need for coordinated action, the government has also established a National Drug Task Force, a dedicated task force to manage drug-related issues and oversee the implementation of cross-sectoral interventions.
The Taskforce plays a key role in implementing the Government’s wider strategy to reduce domestic drug demand and supply.
The strategy focuses on prevention, particularly through education and awareness programmes targeting young people.
The Government has launched a comprehensive anti-drug awareness campaign targeting the public at large, with a special focus on schools.
Health and wellbeing screening programmes in educational institutions are designed to detect early signs of substance abuse so that timely intervention can be made.
This initiative is further supported by a nationwide screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment programme designed to provide early support to those at risk.
In addition to prevention efforts, the government has expanded treatment and rehabilitation services, such as establishing hospital-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and care programs in national, regional, and district hospitals, providing inpatient and outpatient services.
In order to address the problem of recidivism among drug offenders, the government introduced SUD treatment and care services within prisons.
The program is designed to reduce repeat offending by providing prisoners with the necessary resources and support to help them overcome their addiction.
In addition, a school-based SUD treatment and care service has been developed in high schools to ensure young people can get the help they need.
The Bhutan Health Research Institute, the Mind and Wellness Centre and the 200-bed National Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre have established residential SUD treatment and care facilities, providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals undergoing rehabilitation treatment.
These centers offer a range of therapies and programs designed to support long-term recovery.
Furthermore, at the recent meeting of Member States of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme, Bhutan and other Member States put forward a number of recommendations aimed at alleviating the growing demand for drugs.
These include strengthening prevention education in families and communities, early prevention efforts for children and adolescents, and improving the continuum of care for people with substance use disorders.
On the supply side, discussions among member states focused on strategies such as joint training programmes to reduce drug supply, the establishment of an information-sharing system for rapid exchange of intelligence, and joint operations in border areas to curb illicit drug trafficking.
Although the Government has made tackling the drug problem a priority, it still faces many challenges in controlling the influx of drugs and strengthening prevention efforts.
The BFDA said challenges include high youth unemployment, cross-border smuggling due to lax border management, and social stigma that prevents individuals from seeking help, which hinders early intervention.
The lack of expertise, capacity and advanced technology in drug detection and surveillance further increases the difficulty of effectively combating drug cases.
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