«MAC»
There is no doubt that the problem of drug addiction concerns everyone and causes great alarm in society.
It should be noted that addiction to drugs such as heroin, methadone, and smoking mixtures containing psychotropic substances (so-called "spices" among young people) can occur after a single use. No less evil are narcotic drugs of plant origin such as marijuana or poppy straw, which drug addicts consider "light." A naive delusion.
From June 1, 2024, to September 15, 2024, a special program "MAK" was carried out in the Postavy district.
During the program, the following activities were carried out:
widespread outreach among the population about the harmful effects of drug use, the danger posed by growing poppy and hemp plants in household and garden plots, and the need to destroy their crops. Fostering intolerance among the population towards individuals who use narcotic drugs, grow drug-containing plants, and sell them;
outreach among the population about the responsibility provided by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus for planting and growing poppy and hemp plants;
comprehensive measures to identify and destroy poppy and hemp crops, bringing offenders to administrative and criminal liability;
identification and detention of individuals involved in the procurement of narcotic raw materials, manufacturing narcotic drugs from them, bringing identified individuals to justice or further conducting operational-search and other activities in relation to this category of individuals;
Many residents of the district center also have household plots and dachas. Amateur gardeners need to be reminded once again that there is responsibility for growing poppies and hemp on household plots. And it does not matter whether these plants grow on the landowner's plot for personal purposes or simply for beauty. For illegal planting or growing without the purpose of selling or manufacturing narcotic drugs, one will have to answer under Article 17.1 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses (planting or growing plants and fungi prohibited for cultivation that contain narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances). Violation of this article entails a fine of up to twenty basic units. During the special program "MAK" in 2023, 15 facts of illegal planting and growing (presence) of drug-containing poppy and hemp plants were identified on the plots of residents of the Postavy district, 15 citizens were brought to administrative responsibility, 6.31 kg of poppy plants growing on a total area of 31 m2 were destroyed. If drug-containing plants are grown for the purpose of sale or manufacture of narcotic drugs, then responsibility arises under Article 329 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. This illegal act is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, and the same actions committed repeatedly or by a group of persons may be punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to seven years. In cases where this act is committed by an organized group, this article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of five to fifteen years with confiscation of property.
During the special program "Mak" in 2023, 1 crime was identified under Part 1 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, 0.4233 grams of the narcotic drug extraction opium were seized. The specified narcotic drug is made from the drug-containing plant "MAK."
We draw attention to the immediate destruction of drug-containing plants (poppy and hemp) on household and garden plots.
