During the ordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies, the bill “Declaring a national emergency in the matter of addictions, throughout the territory of the Republic of Paraguay” was half sanctioned.
The initiative aims to articulate actions for the comprehensive approach to addictionshaving as axes its prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social integration.
Aims at all those users of psychoactive substances, affected by this problematic.
The declaration of national emergency and the actions derived from it would have a validity of three yearsfrom the eventual promulgation of the norm.
In his capacity as head of the Commission of Fight against Drug Trafficking, Related and Serious Illicits, the deputy Tito Ibarrola (PPH-Central), pointed out that the entry into force of this legal tool is necessary, considering the unstoppable advance of the number of people who fall into addictions, and above everything, due to the negative effects that they generate to those who consume them.
He pointed out that the document establishes as executing bodies the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, to the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD); and the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC)so that they elaborate, put into effect and implement actions aimed at dealing with the emergency in the matter of addictions.
“For this, all public agencies or entities, autonomous, autarchic entities and decentralized public administration entities are also instructed to collaborate with the implementing bodies,” he said.
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At the initiative of the legislator, a modification was introduced in article 9 to allow the operation of a council in order to manage the resources to be allocated to the institutional strengthening of the National Center for Addiction Control, of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, as well as the operation of the projects to be implemented within the framework of the purpose of this law.
For parliamentarian Rocío Abed (ANR-Alto Paraná), head of the Social Equity and Gender Commission, approval of the initiative is necessary and she mentioned that, from the advisory body, she adheres to all the arguments outlined by congressman Ibarrola.
“There are experiences that support this project; pitifully, We are aware of how the supply and demand for drugs in Paraguay has grown exponentially“, lament.
The president of the Human Rights Commission, Esmérita Sánchez (PLRA-Caaguazú), also supported the approval of the document. “TO young people, even entire families, are seen daily sinking into addictions; With this legislative proposal, you will be helping, greatly, to reduce said scourge ”, he said.
Based on the opinion of the Commission for the Fight against Drug Trafficking, Related and Serious Illicits, the project was approved and its referral to the Chamber of Senators was ordered for its next constitutional process.
