Special Program "MAK"

June 3, 2024

There is no doubt that the problem of drug addiction concerns everyone and causes great alarm in society.

From June 1 to September 15, a special program «POPPY» will be carried out on the territory of the Gluboksky district by police officers in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies. The main goal of the program is to conduct explanatory work among the population about the dire consequences of drug use, the dangers posed by growing poppy and hemp plants on personal and garden plots, and the need to destroy their crops.

Many residents of the Gluboksky district also have personal plots and dachas. Amateur gardeners need to be reminded once again that there is responsibility for growing poppy and hemp on personal plots. It does not matter whether these plants are grown for personal use or simply for beauty on the landowner's plot. For illegal sowing or cultivation 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. Violation of this article entails a fine of up to twenty basic units. In 2023, 16 cases of illegal sowing and cultivation (growth) of narcotic-containing poppy and hemp plants were detected on the plots of residents of the Gluboksky district, and more than 20 kg of poppy plants were destroyed, grown on a total area of 950 m2. If narcotic-containing plants are grown for the purpose of sale or manufacture of narcotic drugs, then responsibility under Article 329 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus arises. This unlawful 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 the event that 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.

We hope that the citizens and residents of our district will not remain indifferent

aside from the problem of illegal cultivation of drug-containing plants and will provide assistance to police officers. Report all known facts of the growth of drug-containing plants and the involvement of persons in their illegal cultivation to the Glubokoe District Department of Internal Affairs by phone: 8 (029) 597-21-74 or 102. Confidentiality is guaranteed.