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Prosecutor General's Office suggests establishing specialized anti-drug agency

The Prosecutor General's Office believes that it is necessary to establish a specialized agency that would combat drug trafficking and coordinate the anti-drug efforts of all other agencies, Syarhey Zamara, a departmental chief at the Office, told reporters on Wednesday.

Russia, for example, has the Federal Drug Control Service, Mr. Zamara noted.

The Prosecutor General's Office is expected to submit its proposal to the Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives soon, he said.

Amendments to a law governing investigative activities, including test purchase and investigative experiment, have been devised on the initiative of the Office to rule out provocations and manipulations, Mr. Zamara said.

Vasil Losich, a deputy departmental chief at the interior ministry, noted that the ministry had suggested introducing penalties under the Civil Offenses Code for using drugs in public places.

A new version of Belarus' anti-drug law, which takes effect on October 20, provides for measures against drug abuse and introduces terms such as "equivalents of narcotic and psychotropic substances," he said. The amended law will allow police to respond much more promptly to the appearance of new drugs and psychotropic substances, Mr. Losich said. //BelaPAN