The National Drug Abuse Control Council

(1) There shall be constituted in accordance with Schedule I a Council to be called the National Drug Abuse Control Council of Belize, for the prevention of misuse of drugs. (2) It shall be the duty of the Council to keep under review the situation in Belize with respect to drugs which are being or appear to them likely to be misused and of which the misuse is having or appears to them capable of having harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem, and to give to the Minister, where either the Council considers it expedient to do so or they are consulted by the Minister, advice on measures, whether or not involving alteration of the law, which in the opinion of the Council ought to be taken for preventing the misuse of such drugs or dealing with social problems connected with their misuse, and in particular on measures which in the opinion of the Council, ought to be taken– (a) for restricting the availability of drugs or supervising the arrangements for their supply; (b) for enabling persons affected by the misuse of drugs to obtain proper advice, and for securing the provision of proper facilities and services for the treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare of such persons; (c) for promoting co-operation between the various professional and community services which in the opinion of the Council have a part to play in the dealing with social problems connected with the misuse of drugs; 15 (d) for educating the public, and in particular the young, on the dangers of misusing drugs, and for giving publicity to these dangers; (e) for promoting research into, or otherwise obtaining information about, any matter which in the opinion of the Council is of relevance for the purpose of preventing the misuse of drugs or dealing with any social problem connected with their misuse; and (f) to give advice to farmers, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, on possible alternative crops in areas where controlled drugs are known or suspected to be under (3) It shall also be the duty of the Council to consider any matter relating to drug dependence or the misuse of drugs which may be referred to them by the Minister and to advise the Minister thereon.