Women-friendly mini-tillers included in CARLEP’s core components, benefiting female farmers. 416 tillers have been provided, acknowledging declining agricultural production in Bhutan. The report highlights a significant increase in drug-related offenses among young people in Bhutan, with over half of arrests occurring under the age of 24. Bumthang, Haa, Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Samdrupjongkhar were also identified by the Committee as dzongkhags where juvenile usage of inhalants and solvents was more common. Tshering Tshomo, Zhemgang’s MP, drew attention to the sharp rise in the importation of potentially harmful drugs. MP Kencho Tshering warns of increasing strain on detention centres due to the availability of easily available substances, with 73 youth drug-related cases in Thimphu awaiting judgment.
The SCAC found that alcohol consumption’s economic cost outweighs revenue, with Bhutan’s breweries producing over 49 million litres in 2024. Alcohol imports surged 83%, while tobacco and e-cigarette imports fluctuated. A comprehensive education manual on substance abuse, improved treatment and rehabilitation services, promoting sports as a preventive tool, institutionalizing recognition programs, encouraging greater parental and societal responsibility, strengthening enforcement through legislative reforms, strengthening the National Drug Task Force’s mandate, improving inter-agency coordination, allocating “sin tax” revenues in the national budget, and supporting the reintegration of youth in conflict with the law are some of the main proposals.