Decriminalize drug use, says top Dominican prosecutor

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Dominguez on Mondayurged an amendment to Law 5088 on drugs, to make their use a public healthproblem, bolster prevention and increase penalties for drug trafficking.

"A day like today is a good setting to start thediscussion that has not yet to begin on the amendment, or above all, a newlaw," the official said.

“We sometimes see people with 50 kilos convicted to only 8 and10 years since the law doesn’t allow that amount. It is essential that we cantake it to 30 years, not only cases of heroin, but other cases of major cocainetrafficking" the official said after a mass to mark the National DrugControl Agency’s (DNCD) 28th anniversary officiated in the Cathedral.