President reviews measures to combat drug crime and ensure road safety

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to improve legislation aimed at protecting public health and the nation's gene pool from drug addiction, as well as ensuring the safety of road users.

The presentation began with information on a law adopted by parliament to strengthen liability for the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, and potent substances, as well as its significance.

The law introduces a new chapter to the Criminal Code, titled “Crimes Against Public Health and the Gene Pool,” providing for stricter liability for offenses that threaten public health, particularly among young people.

Taking into account modern methods and forms of drug-related crime, separate liability has been established for organizing illegal drug laboratories, facilitating illicit drug trafficking, and organizing drug dens. Penalties for more than ten dangerous offenses have also been strengthened.

Noting that the law will serve as an important legal basis for elevating efforts to combat drug crime and protect public health and the nation's gene pool to a new level, the President signed the document.

The presentation also included a report on the draft law “On Narcotic Drugs and Potent Substances,”developed by an interagency working group.

It was noted that the drug situation has changed significantly in recent years. Traditional narcotic drugs are increasingly being replaced by synthetic drugs. Methods of their distribution have also changed, with drugs increasingly being distributed through contactless online channels. In addition, the emergence of underground laboratories in the country requires a fundamental review of the legal and organizational mechanisms in this area.

The new draft law defines seven main directions of state policy. These include fostering “immunity to drug addiction” among the population, especially women and young people, combating drug-related crimes committed via the internet, and improving the system of early prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and medical and social rehabilitation for drug addiction.

The draft provides for a clear definition of the tasks and powers of 14 state bodies directly involved in combating drug trafficking, drug addiction, and drug-related crime. State control over the legal circulation of relevant substances will be strengthened, and all processes, from importation to sale, will be subject to continuous electronic monitoring.

Proposals to further improve the regulation of the circulation of precursors, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances were also considered. The importance of introducing an electronic monitoring system and strengthening interagency cooperation in combating illegal activities was noted.

Special attention during the presentation was paid to the prevention of road traffic accidents.

It was noted that some citizens allow minors to drive vehicles, resulting in road traffic accidents involving fatalities and severe injuries.

In this regard, the need to ensure compliance with traffic rules through new approaches, prevent accidents with severe consequences, and strengthen liability for such violations was emphasized.

The President approved the proposals to organize efforts to combat drug addiction and drug-related crime in accordance with modern requirements, decisively suppress the spread of this evil among young people, and ensure road safety. Relevant instructions were issued to responsible officials on the issues discussed.