The Social and Cultural Affairs Committee convened a consultative meeting
The Social and Cultural Affairs
Committee convened a consultative meeting with Thimphu Thromde, Thimphu
Dzongkhag and the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA) to address
the growing issue of youth substance abuse in Thimphu.
Thromde
informed the committee that Thimphu has over 1,400 entertainment venues and
1,330 licensed alcohol outlets. Schools have recorded 120 instances of student
substance abuse as early as primary levels. The Thimphu Dzongkhag
Administration expressed concerns about similar issues in rural and peri-urban
areas, primarily due to limited recreational options, unemployment, and
heightened exposure to detrimental influences on social media.
The
Traffic Division and BCTA discussed their ongoing efforts in road safety and
substance abuse awareness initiatives. Given the increasing number of motor
vehicles and the prevalence of drink driving accidents, they recommended
several measures to effectively address this issue.
In
the afternoon, the committee met with three Civil Society Organizations:
Nazhoen Lamten, Bhutan Youth Development Fund (YDF) and RENEW. Nazhoen Lamten
shared the challenges faced by individuals recovering from Substance Use and
Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs and AUDs), particularly the absence of reintegration
plans and family support, which significantly hinders the recovery process,
especially for those experiencing poverty or lacking familial support. The YDF
shared their initiatives, including the REWA Project and the Treatment and
Rehabilitation Centre for Drug and Alcohol Dependent at Tshaluna. They shared that programmes focus on
self-exploration and intensive contemplation. RENEW highlighted the detrimental
impact of alcohol abuse on families, particularly the suffering of children as
a result of alcoholic mothers, and the pervasive cycle of domestic violence
often associated with substance abuse.
The comprehensive findings from the meeting will be shared during the upcoming session.”
