2024-07-25 00:07:07
Jansons believes that currently the criminal punishment provided by the law does not reduce the tendency to use addictive substances and does not cure addiction, on the contrary – it can discourage people from seeking help.
Currently, drug use can be punished by temporary imprisonment, probation supervision, community service or a fine. None of the types of criminal punishment, in the opinion of the ombudsman, is aimed at treating addictions or reducing the tendency to use addictive substances.
Instead of criminal responsibility, Jansons proposes to establish as a mandatory obligation to consult a doctor and follow the doctor’s recommendations, for example, to be treated for addiction, to receive rehabilitation. In turn, the state must create appropriate freely available services, the ombudsman pointed out.
Abolition of criminal responsibility would not legalize the use of narcotic substances, Janson emphasized. The use of narcotic substances would be prohibited as before – children and young people can be subject to administrative responsibility.
Children can already be freed from the sentence imposed by applying coercive measures of an educational nature specified in the law, for example imposing an obligation to attend a consultation with a psychologist, doctor or other specialist, the ombudsman said. In addition, the child may be required to undergo treatment for the use of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic or toxic substances.
Cases on the application of coercive measures of an educational nature to children are considered by the court or the administrative commission of the municipality.
For the time being, the Ombudsman refrained from evaluating the decriminalization of drug use for adults.
As reported, the Ministry of Health has accepted a proposal developed by the Ministry of Justice, which provides that young people will no longer be criminally punished for drug use. The Ministry of Health, together with other proposals, will forward it to the Saeima commission for consideration in the fall.
Previously, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, representing “Jauno vietības”, admitted that she supports the plan to decriminalize drug use among young people. The plan is also supported by the party “Progressivie” represented in the government, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
2024-07-25 00:07:07