Colombia’s incoming government begins “total peace” offensive
Colombia investigating bullfighting tragedy
Petro’s first moves to restructure Colombia’s government
Petro and Duque meet over transition of power...
Colombia confronts former FARC chiefs with suffering kidnapping...
Colombia hears former guerrilla chiefs over mass kidnappings
Petro’s quest for a majority in Colombia’s Congress
Colombia’s ELN guerrillas reiterate call to resume peace...
Colombia begins transition of power after elections
The peaceful revolution of Colombia’s “nobodies”
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Colombia’s new law recognizes drug addiction as public health issue

by Adriaan Alsema August 1, 2012

Colombia cocaine

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos has ratified a law deeming drug addiction a public health issue rather than a crime, local media reported Tuesday.

The newly-enacted bill recognizes “the consumption and abuse of, or addiction to, psychoactive substances, legal or illegal, as a matter of public health and the well-being of family, community and individuals.”

According to Liberal Party Senator Juan Manuel Galan, Law 1566 recognizes drug addiction as an “illness” and “guarantees (…) treatment.”

With the new law in place, health insurance companies are obliged to cover the voluntary treatment of drug addicts. Until Tuesday, addicts could only obtain financial resources for treatment through legal action.

The legislation is part of several measures taken by the Santos administration to decriminalize drug use; In late June Congress passed a bill that decriminalized the possession of small doses of illegal substances like marijuana and cocaine.

drug usehealth

Trending

  • Petro’s quest for a majority in Colombia’s Congress

  • The peaceful revolution of Colombia’s “nobodies”

  • Colombia hears former guerrilla chiefs over mass kidnappings

Related articles

  • Colombia’s countercultures: the Beat Generation’s bad trip

  • Colombia to kick off congressional year with cocaine decriminalization bill

  • Colombia closes schools and universities in attempt to combat coronavirus

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top