March 15, 2025 – The Social and Cultural Affairs Committee met with the Drungpa, Local Government leaders, law enforcement and officials to discuss the  youth and substance abuse.

The Drungpa stated that as the eastern gateway, Nganglam sees more than 800 vehicles on average daily, including trucks and more than 350 Indians on weekdays and over a 1000 on weekends.

In his presentation, the RBP OC reported 10 drug cases in 2023, 20 in 2024, and 3 in 2025, with 90% of arrests occurring at border checkpoints.

RBP highlighted challenges such as financial constraints to establish a canine unit, lack of financial resources to procure sufficient drug testing kits and reward informants. They called for stricter border checks, community support to uproot marijuana, and the need for rehabilitation centers in border towns.

Stakeholders acknowledged that alcohol and tobacco was freely sold to children under 18 years and called for strict reinforcement of the current rules and regulations.

Local Government leaders highlighted concerns on open and unchecked smoking, increased social issues due to drugs and alcohol abuse and lack of employment opportunities as reasons for youth to engage in substance abuse.

In the afternoon, the committee also met with teachers and students of  Nganglam Middle Secondary School, where students cited peer pressure and easy accessibility as key factors of substance abuse.  The students called for adults to show better examples, drug testing for all, strict enforcement of alcohol, tobacco and drug laws,  and prohibition of tobacco and alcohol consumption in recreational areas.

The details of the report will be presented in the upcoming summer session.

This tour was made possible with the support of UNICEF.