SCAC in Punakha 8th April, 2025
The Social and Cultural Affairs Committee held a
meeting with the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) Officer Commanding, Local Government
leaders, and sector heads.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) Thrizin shared concerns about the increasing use of drugs and alcohol among young people and highlighted it was important to work together to stop it.
The RBP reported that 35 people were arrested for drug-related cases in 2022, which increased to 45 in 2023, and most were youth aged 15 to 24 years, either unemployed, working in private jobs, or still in school. They said one challenge is the lack of family support and the easy availability of inhalants.
The Dzongkhag Health Officer presented a report on the number of substance abuse cases recorded in the schools in Punakha and interventions used by them.
The Local Government (LG) leaders also stated that changing cultural values, inconsistent government policies, and easy access to harmful substances were worsening the situation.
In the afternoon, the committee met with medical professionals from Punakha District Hospital, including doctors, nurses, counsellors, and other relevant staff.
The clinical counsellor shared that a total of 34 patients were treated for substance use disorder (SUD) in 2024. In 2023, 40 females and 55 males were treated for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), while liver disease caused by alcohol was reported in 43 people. The number of male liver disease cases has increased in 2024. Punakha Hospital also treats patients from Gasa and Wangdue.
Discussions on existing challenges and recommendations were also deliberated at length.
The full findings will be shared in the upcoming summer session.
