Examine the nitty-gritty of proposed Drug Dependants Act before it's tabled

THE motion to revise the Drug Dependants Act of 1983 that was mooted in 2021will be brought to fruition soon. If approved, the current Act will be replaced with the newly proposed Drug and Substance Abuse (Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act.

Despite the broad amendments, the overarching aim of the new Act is to address “prison overcrowding” involving individuals charged for minor drug offences, according to the Home Minister. Meaning, if the law is ratified, those caught for minor drug-related offences will no longer be sent to prison but to mandatory rehabilitation centres instead.