The Social and Cultural Affairs Committee continued it's discussions with the Department of Public Health and The Pema Secretariat
The Social and
Cultural Affairs Committee continued it's discussions with the Department of
Public Health and The Pema Secretariat to discuss youth and substance abuse.
The Department of Public Health reported 129 deaths from alcohol-related liver disease in 2023.
According to the National Health Survey, 39.9% of current drinkers were aged 25 to 39, while 25.2% were aged 15 to 24.
With one outlet per 112 Bhutanese, alcohol is highly accessible in the country. Lhuentse recorded the highest alcohol consumption rate of 50.6%.
The Department raised concerns about the weak enforcement on current rules and regulations, citing the accessibility of alcohol and tobacco next to schools, sales of these products to children, advertisements of alcohol on social media, and the lack of a concerted national effort to address these concerns.
The Pema Secretariat highlighted mental disorders caused by substance abuse, particularly among those aged 15-24, with 848 males and 331 females affected.
The Pema Secretariat reported the proportion of clients by age for hospital-based substance use disorder treatment and care as follows: 12 clients aged 12 to 17, 39 clients aged 18 to 24, and 49 clients aged 25 and above.
Mitshey Yarab Lamzang center has served 253 clients since September 2023, with 60.16% under 25.
The discussion also highlighted marijuana as a gateway drug and emphasized the importance of prison-based Substance Use Disorder treatment, care, reintegration, and aftercare programs.
The Pema
Secretariat shared plans for a targeted, evidence-based awareness and advocacy
program in 6 priority Dzongkhags by June 2026 amongst other programmes.
