Kazakhstan Parliament Approves First Reading of Anti-Drug Law
Members of the Mazhilis at a plenary session on May 2, 2024, approved in the first reading a draft law on combating the illegal circulation of drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors.
Deputy Snezhanna Imasheva noted that the production of synthetic drugs in the country is increasing, and the scale of their distribution is akin to an epidemic.
"The bill was initiated by a group of Parliament deputies to combat the drug business and improve anti-drug legislation. The bill introduces amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan," she stated.
Motivating the need for amendments, the deputy reported that the analysis of the current drug situation indicates an intensification of criminal activities in Kazakhstan related to the establishment of an underground network for the production of synthetic drugs.
"Enterprising drug dealers have established stable schemes for transporting equipment and chemicals, precursors known as 'designers,' for the industrial-scale production of 'synthetics.' Last year, law enforcement agencies liquidated three transnational organized criminal groups, and this year, another criminal group. Fourteen participants have been brought to criminal responsibility, of which 13 are foreigners. Approximately 100 kg of 'synthetics,' over 85 tons of precursors, 13 reactors, and more than 1,000 units of laboratory equipment were seized from them. This year, 31 underground drug laboratories have already been liquidated in the republic. Over 10 tons of precursors were seized. Thus, the production of 1 ton of ready-to-use substances has been stopped - equivalent to three million individual doses and thousands of saved lives. 1 ton 967 g of drugs were seized, including over 457 kg of synthetic drugs. This indicates that the fight against drug crime must begin with stopping the illegal supply of precursors and laboratory equipment," Snezhanna Imasheva pointed out.
Meanwhile, she noted that the current legislation only establishes responsibility for their smuggling, and there is no responsibility for the illegal circulation of precursors within the country.
"It is proposed to make amendments to Articles 301 and 303 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, providing for criminal liability for the illegal production, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation, and transfer of precursors, that is, responsibility for their illegal circulation, as well as responsibility for violating the rules for handling them," Snezhanna Imasheva emphasized.
It is also proposed to strengthen responsibility for the circulation of potent substances.
"Medical preparations such as 'tropicamide,' 'nitrous oxide,' 'zolpidem,' 'pregabalin,' and so on have become objects of abuse, especially among adolescents. These substances are used by individuals with drug addiction to enhance the effects of synthetic drugs, resulting in a significant increase in non-medical demand for them. Currently, only administrative responsibility is provided for the over-the-counter sale of these medicinal products and for violations of the rules for handling them. This does not deter wrongdoers who sell these products for non-medical purposes... The bill also proposes to introduce criminal liability for the illegal circulation of potent substances, including the mentioned medical preparations, violations of the rules for handling them, and their theft. At the same time, the illegal circulation of instruments and equipment for the production or processing of precursors and potent substances should also be criminally punishable," Snezhanna Imasheva stated.
Amendments to the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Health of the People and the Healthcare System" provide that individuals who have undergone compulsory treatment for the use of psychoactive substances, upon discharge from an organization providing medical care in the field of mental health, shall be subject to dynamic observation in an organization providing medical care in the field of mental health to persons with mental and behavioral disorders (illnesses) at their place of residence and are required to undergo supportive treatment.
Earlier, it became known that Kazakhstan is considering introducing life imprisonment for drug dealers. More details on this can be found in our article.
