rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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Programme, 754 but a search of this resource
revealed no specific information regarding
drug and alcohol control legislation. A key
contact also noted that there is no relevant
national legislation for drug and alcohol
issues. 755 This aspect requires further
investigation.
Law enforcement
Timor-Leste did not provide advice to the
International Narcotics Control Board for
its 2005 report on precursors, 756 but the
2009 PDARN delegate reported the adoption
of the INCB regulations in the preceding
12 months. No other law enforcement
data or programs associated with substance
use issues were identified. However, there is
scope to further explore Timor-Leste’s enforcement
of drug and alcohol issues with
its representation now at PDARN meetings.
Health
A recent article on school-based health
research identified no activities for Timor-
Leste. 757 No published research reports have
been identified subsequent to the publication
of that article.
A Timor-Leste Youth Social Analysis Survey
was undertaken in 2005 to identify risk factors.
The survey highlighted the challenge
for transitioning ‘gang’ cultures away from
political militia-type activities to more traditional
youth/sport groups. 758 As part of the
response, a youth and sport portfolio has
been created under the Leadership for Economic
Development program. 759
Non-government organisations
Notably the local NGO, Psychosocial Recovery
and Development East Timor (PRADET), has
organised workshops to raise awareness of
the dangers of alcohol abuse in an attempt
to reduce the high rates of domestic violence
and sexual assault. 760 Among other activities,
754 Judicial System Monitoring Programme, available at: (accessed April 2009).
755 Personal communication, May 2009.
756 International Narcotics Control Board (2006), Precursors and Chemicals Frequently Used in the
Illicit Manufacture of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Report on the implementation
of Article 12 of the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances of 1988. New York: United Nations. Available at: (accessed April 2009).
757 M. Jimba et al. (2005), School health research in low-income countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Japan Medical Association Journal, 48(4): 168–174.
758 Commonwealth Secretariat (2006), Report of the Sixth Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting,
Nassau, 22–26 May 2006: Agenda item 4A: The Commonwealth’s Response to Youth Global
Challenges in the 21st Century (accessed online February 2009).
759 Ibid.
760 Personal communication, May 2009; PRADET (2009), Timor-Leste: Reducing Alcohol, Reducing
Trauma, Making the Connections: unpublished alcohol situational analysis provided for the
Burnet Institute.