Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency – Message from the Chairman of the
Narcotic Control Board, Lyonpo Dr. Jigmi Singay
Message from the Chairman of the
Narcotic Control Board, Lyonpo Dr. Jigmi Singay
Drug abuse destroys lives and communities, affect all sectors of society in all countries, undermine sustainable human development and generate crime and in particular, drug affects the freedom and development of young people, the nation’s most valuable asset.
Further with changing patterns of drug abuse, supply and distributions escalated the problem, resulting increase in social and economic factors that make people especially the youth more vulnerable and likely to engage in drug use and drug related risk taking behaviour. The rising trend of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse has been a serious concern for us. The nexus between substance abuse and spread of HIV/AIDS is now well established. Substance abuse with its mood altering impact leads to deviant behaviour and lifestyles with greater possibilities of relations with multiple sex partners. Substance abuse leads to loss of self–control and un–safe sex. Injecting drug use through needle and sharing of injection paraphernalia leads to spread of HIV/AIDS. With target groups convergence in high–risk areas, interventions for prevention and management of HIV amongst substance abusing population and rehabilitation of the affected is a matter of great concern.
Enhancement of prevention skills is equally more important than just providing knowledge and creating awareness related to drugs as we need to be more concerned about shaping the behaviours and attitudes that promote healthy lifestyles.
Substance abuse prevention programme must also begin in the homes of children for parents to realize that it is not only to provide love to their children but also to nurture them from birth to adulthood. There is, therefore, a need to intensify efforts to reduce demand for illicit drugs, and to provide adequate resources to do so. This message, I hope will be well received by all section of our society especially the parents and provide support to the Government to groom our youth to become responsible adult citizens.
