To tackle the growing issue of drug abuse in the country, Police have heightened their patrol along the national highways across the country. According to the Police, the drug division conducts highway checking and drug testing quite often compared to the previous years. The checking is carried out following tip-offs. The drug division arrested more than 2500 individuals in the last eight months including those caught during highway checking.
Until last year, the highway drug checking was done once in a while.
However, currently, the drug division conducts highway checking at least two to three times a week.
During the checking, individuals testing positive for drugs are sent for counselling and treatment. Those who carry drugs are being arrested and charged according to the law.
According to the drug division, they have intensified the checking due to the increasing number of reported drug abuse cases.
Traffic police and canine units also assist the highway drug checking.
According to the drug division, the checking is carried out along highways as drugs are primarily transported via roads.
Police said the country does not have any alternate routes for drug transportation.
During a highway checking at Hongtsho, BBS talked with some drivers and passengers who said such kind of highway checking should be carried out regularly.
“I believe that sudden drug checking will have a positive impact on everyone, including youngsters. While a few individuals might feel that their time is being wasted during this checking, generally speaking, it will have a positive impact on the community as a whole,” said Sonam Gyeltshen, a resident.
“From my perspective, I believe that this checking is very important and it is a good initiative. At the moment, many youths are abusing drugs. If we do not conduct such checking right now, I fear that it will have an adverse impact on the younger generations in the future,” said Kinzang Norbu, another resident.
The highway drug checking initiative was initiated in December 2013 as an important component of an operation the police launched to combat the illegal trafficking and abuse of drugs in the country.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tshering Zam
