BHUTAN'S GROWING CANNABIS PROBLEM

The authorities in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan say they are
growing increasingly concerned about the growing use of cannabis
among young people.

The cannabis plant thrives in remote and secluded Bhutan and is
widely available all over the country.

But up until recently it was not used as a drug.

The authorities say all that has now changed as the tiny kingdom,
with a population of only around 650,000, becomes more exposed to the
outside world.

Dr Rinchen Chopel, the country's joint director of health care, says
most people grew up with it and nobody took much notice of it -
except to feed to animals like pigs.

"But in the last few years, especially in the last couple of years,
we have been concerned by the reports and cases come to the notice of
the authorities. "

Foreign Influences

Dr Chopel says that exposure to foreign media and changes in
life-style have all contributed to the problem.

Satellite television has recently arrived in the country.

Dr Chopel says that foreigners are also partly to blame, even though
there are strict regulations in Bhutan on the number of tourists
allowed to visit.

Last year, there were fewer than 7,000 foreign visitors, most of whom
paid a mandatory $200 a day.

Dr Chopel says the priority now was to burn as many cannabis plants
as possible and give counselling to young people who wanted to stop
smoking the drug.