Interior Minister: Drug Realization Might Become More Punishable

Georgian Interior Minister, Giorgi Gakharia does not exclude that some drug crimes, like realization and distribution, might become even more punishable.

The minister made the statement while commenting on the new drug policy draft, which according to the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), should be humane and liberal.

Gakharia believes the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) team and the NGOs can reach consensus over some issues, like lifting imprisonment for personal consumption of drugs, but added that regulations on some drug crimes must be tightened.

The minister noted that the policy needs some changes in order to make it more liberal, adding this does not mean that drugs will be de-criminalized or legalized in the country.

“We should maintain the limit between the liberal approach and promotion of drug consumption, in order not to get worse results,” Gakharia stated.

The NGOs ask the parliament to adopt already initiated draft drug policy, which abolishes imprisonment of people for personal consumption of drugs.

The NGO said the drug policy should be transferred from a punitive to a caring one, which implies the creation of special services for drug addicts for their rehabilitation and re-socialization.

By Thea Morrison