The concept of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their main types

March 29, 2024

The legal and organizational framework for state policy in the sphere of circulation and counteraction to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors, and analogues is defined in the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, Their Precursors, and Analogues".

The aforementioned Law contains definitions of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors, and analogues.

In accordance with Article 1 of the Law, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are substances of natural or synthetic origin included in the Republican List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Their Precursors Subject to State Control in the Republic of Belarus.

The aforementioned Republican List is approved by Resolution No. 19 of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated February 11, 2015.

The most commonly encountered drugs in the Republic of Belarus are:

1. Opioids are a class of drugs derived from opium poppy juice. Opioid users constitute the largest proportion of individuals under observation in healthcare organizations. The main drugs used in Belarus are heroin, crude opioids made from poppy seeds and poppy straw, and sometimes illicitly sourced methadone. Opioid addiction develops quickly; psychological dependence can occur after 1-2 injections, while physical dependence typically requires 2-3 weeks of continuous use. These drugs are most often administered intravenously, and heroin is also smoked and snorted.

2. Cannabinoids (marijuana, hashish, synthetic cannabinoids in smoking mixtures) are the second most prevalent drugs.

Significantly more dangerous drugs are synthetic cannabinoids "SPICE", which are components of smoking mixtures – in the last

started to spread actively among teenagers. They are sold as herbs with a chemical narcotic substance (synthetic cannabinoids) applied to them. It is this substance that causes addiction, comparable in strength to intravenous drugs, and can lead to sudden death from overdose and the development of hallucinations.

3. Inhalants are chemical substances contained in household products such as various aerosols, cleaning fluids, glues, paints, solvents, nail polish removers, lighter fluid, etc. They are sniffed or inhaled.

4. Psychostimulants (amphetamine, cocaine, ephedrone, pyrovalerone, etc.) are psychotropic substances that activate the mental and, to a lesser extent, physical activity of the body. They stimulate higher mental functions, quickly relieve fatigue, drowsiness, and lethargy, and increase performance.

5. Hallucinogens are a class of psychoactive substances that cause hallucinations and other altered states of consciousness. The most well-known natural ones are psilocybin, derived from mushrooms, and mescaline, produced from a certain type of cactus. Synthetic ones include diethylamide of lysergic acid (LSD) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), known as ecstasy. Medicinal ones include cyclodol, dimedrol, etc.

Thus, the legislator has "listed" a ban on the non-medical use of all narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Any intentional actions with the listed drugs and substances for non-medical purposes entail criminal or administrative liability – this is what involvement in the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances means.

Prosecutor of Gluboksky District

V.M. Dailidenok