The Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) referred close to 500 people for compulsory treatment last year. Of them, around 122 were below the age of 18 years.
Individuals apprehended by the police for the offense of substance abuse are referred to the Treatment Assessment Panel. As per the severity of drug abuse by the offenders, the panel accordingly refers them for either compulsory treatment or brief intervention.
“Those who are found to be at high risk, they are given the opportunity to undergo long term treatment rehabilitation programme at our compulsory treatment centre at Serbithang,” told Dorji Tshering, BNCA’s Deputy Chief Programme Officer to BBS News. “And those who are at low or moderate risk, they are given the opportunity to undergo outpatient counselling here at the BNCA office.”
Most clients referred were for abuse of cannabis. “Cannabis is widely found and people have easy access, this could be one reason why most abusers abuse this drug,” continued Dorji Tshering.
The BNCA said from 500 people, 50 per cent have been caught by police for abusing Cannabis while 30 per cent have been booked for abuse of pharmaceutical controlled substances such as SP Plus and Tramadol.
Today, the BNCA has one compulsory treatment centre at Serbithang in Thimphu with 28 counsellors.
