Dear Editor,
As the world observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025 under the theme “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All,” it is imperative for us in Bhutan to reflect on how our policies align with this global vision.
The government’s proposal to establish a separate school for students with substance use disorders at Yonphula may be well-intentioned, but it risks undermining the very essence of rehabilitation. Rather than breaking the chains of addiction, we risk forging new ones—chains of lifelong stigma and exclusion.
Segregating young individuals struggling with substance use only reinforces the notion that they are different, problematic, or dangerous. True recovery requires reintegration into society, not isolation from it. Our youth need support systems that are inclusive, compassionate, and rooted in community—not facilities that brand them by their lowest point.
Instead of separate institutions, let us invest in integrated school-based programs, trained counselors, peer support networks, and compassionate policy frameworks that treat substance use as a health issue, not a moral failing.
Breaking the chains means building bridges—not walls.
