National Assembly approves stricter penalties for soliciting drug use
Source: https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=26922
The amendment to the Narcotics Control Act, which increases penalties not only for facilitating the use of psychotropic drugs but also for enticing or soliciting others to use them, was approved by the National Assembly during Thursday’s plenary session. Additionally, a revision to the Emergency Medical Service Act, aimed at enhancing policy support for vulnerable populations, also passed the plenary session.
The amendment to the Narcotics Control Act, which passed the plenary session, was a compromise bill that combined proposals from Rep. Han Ji-an and Kim Do-eup of the People Power Party, as well as Lee Soo-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea. The bill received overwhelming support, with 241 out of 243 lawmakers voting in favor. No lawmakers voted against it, and two abstained.
To prevent the spread of illegal drugs, the revised bill not only prohibits the procurement of drugs, raw materials, and temporary drugs, but also criminalizes the act of solicitation. Notably, the solicitation of minors to use drugs is met with severe penalties.
The amendment stipulates that wastewater-based epidemiological studies on drug use behavior must be conducted, with the results required to be publicly published to uphold the public’s right to know. Additionally, it includes a plan to establish a basic framework for managing drug addicts and create a drug addiction management system that can be systematically operated.
The bill to amend the Emergency Medical Service Act to strengthen support for vulnerable areas also passed the plenary session.
출처 : KBR(https://www.koreabiomed.com)
