The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis reviewed the draft law “On narcotic drugs and potent substances” in its first reading on August 11.

The proposed legislation would establish a comprehensive framework for regulating the circulation of narcotic drugs, potent substances and precursors, while strengthening efforts to prevent drug addiction and drug-related crime and improving coordination among state bodies.

The bill would introduce legal definitions for key terms used in the field, including “narcotic drugs,” “drug-related crime,” “drug situation,” “combating drug addiction,” “combating drug-related crime” and “illegal drug laboratory.”

It would also clarify the powers and responsibilities of state bodies and organizations involved in controlling the circulation of narcotic drugs, potent substances and precursors and combating drug addiction and drug-related crime.

Under the draft, coordination among the relevant state bodies and organizations would be assigned to Uzbekistan’s State Commission for Drug Control.

The bill also addresses emerging forms of drug-related crime, particularly offenses committed through the internet. Relevant authorities would be tasked with identifying and shutting down illegal drug laboratories, disrupting channels used for illicit drug trafficking and taking operational-search and other measures against such activities.

Alongside tighter controls over the circulation of narcotic drugs and other controlled substances, the draft law provides for stronger preventive measures against drug addiction.

These measures include efforts to build resistance to drug use among the general population, particularly young people and women, prevent the spread of narcotics in educational institutions, and improve systems for addiction treatment, prevention, diagnosis, medical care and medical-social rehabilitation.

The draft law also introduces mechanisms aimed at preventing the laundering of proceeds obtained from drug-related crimes.

Under one of the proposed measures, a legal entity could be liquidated by court order if it committed a drug-related crime or conducted financial transactions intended to launder proceeds obtained from such crimes.

The bill will need to complete the remaining stages of the legislative process before it can take effect.