Last week, Member of Parliament B.Bayarbaatar announced an initiative to hold a parliamentary hearing on issues related to the demand and supply of narcotic and psychoactive substances. The move raises the question of how serious the issue has become for Mongolia to warrant an open discussion at the state level.

⚠️ How Serious is the Situation?

While comprehensive official figures are not yet available, some studies estimate that 75,000-100,000 people have been affected by drug use. If each user places another 4-10 people at risk, the indirect impact could extend to a significant share of the population.

• 🫪 The Scale is Concentrated Among Young People! From 2017 to 2025, 2,100 drug related crimes were recorded, involving 2,422 people. More than 86% of those involved were aged 18-35, while 83.3% of cases were recorded in Ulaanbaatar.

🚨 From Transit to Consumption

Mongolia imposes prison sentences for drug related crimes, with penalties varying depending on the offense and circumstances. Yet repeat offending remains a concern, of the 1,117 people imprisoned for drug related crimes over the past 9 years, 39.9% had previously been convicted of drug related or other crimes. Once primarily viewed as a transit country, Mongolia is increasingly becoming a destination for drug consumption.

🏛️ What Could the Hearing Address?

The hearing is expected to focus on the rapid spread of drug use among young people, the influence of international trafficking networks, gaps in the legal framework, and weaknesses in treatment and prevention systems. The initiative aims to bring these issues into open discussion and develop concrete policy responses.