The PEMA Secretariat, in our capacity as the Secretariat to the National Drug Task Force (NDTF) conducted a three-day National Multi-stakeholder Consultation on the National Response to Address Substance Use Issues from December 4-6, 2023 in Paro. A meeting was also held on November 21-22 in Thimphu in preparation for the National Multi-Stakeholder Consultation.
The workshops brought together key stakeholders concerning drug demand and supply reduction efforts including the Bhutan National Legal Institute, Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, Department of Immigration, Department of Revenue and Customs, Department of Trade, Judiciary, Office of the Attorney General, National Medical Services, Royal Bhutan Police and Civil Society Organizations Such as Chithuen Phendhey Association, Youth Development Fund (Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing) and Nazhoen Lamten (Happiness Centre). A representative from Jurwa, a Self-Help Group in Paro also took part in the workshop.
The National Response to Address Substance Use Issues is envisioned as a Strategic Document that will guide Bhutan’s effort to reduce the demand and supply of substances for the next 10 years. The Document will contain short-term and long-term targets in conformity with the 13th Five Year Plan and Long-term Plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan, besides also charting out a three-year action plan. The document is expected to be finalized in March 2024.
