rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

The National Development Plan has identified
governance, poverty reduction and improved
food security as development priorities.
In addition, strengthening the judiciary
and other institutions, creating an enabling
environment for civil society and business,
reducing unemployment and providing skills
training and education are all seen as areas
of concern. Continued reform of the power
sector and improvement of infrastructure
are also flagged as priorities in the plan. 734
Implementation and support for this plan will
be evidenced by transparency in the management
of its large petroleum reserves. 735
13.2 Drug and alcohol
overview
Timor-Leste was included in the 2004–05
situational analysis. At that time no data
on illicit drug issues had been collected,
due to many competing and more urgent
issues. 736 Key contacts noted only low levels
of substance use and no early indicators of
change. 737 Anecdotal reports of homebrew
and shabu 738 use were also cited. 739 Key informants
in 2008–09 highlighted concerns
over problematic alcohol consumption. Despite
these earlier views, much of the commentary
on the 2006 country-wide trouble
links it to drug use — in particular, methamphetamines.
740 Alcohol issues and responses
were not a focus of the previous analysis.
Key informants also identified increasing
concern with diversion of pharmaceutical
drugs and illicit alcohol production. 741 Similar
to the other countries included in this
analysis, poly-substance use has been identified
as a concern, with specific evidence of
impacts on health and law enforcement as
yet unavailable.
153
734 Ibid.
735 Ibid.
736 Burnet Institute & Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre (2006), Situational Analysis of Illicit
Drug Issues and Responses in the Asia–Pacific Region. ANCD Research Paper 12. Canberra:
Australian National Council on Drugs.
737 Ibid.
738 Shabu is a locally used term to describe amphetamine-type substances.
739 Above, fn.736.
740 East Timor violence linked to drugs. ABC Radio, AM program, 30 October 2006. Available at:
(accessed May 2009).
741 4th PDARN meeting, July 2009 (diverted pharmaceuticals included sedatives and stimulants).
Timor-Leste