The constitutional reform bill to criminalize the possession of a personal
dose of drugs was passed in the second debate in the House of Representatives without modification.
Congress did not pass four previous proposals o f the reform, which seeks to completely prohibit the possession and consumption of drugs.
Previous reforms attempeted to modify article 16 of the Constitution, regarding personal liberty. The latest bill seeks a modification of article 49, which concerns health care and sanitation.
The bill adds two paragraphs to article 49:
"The carrying and consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances is prohibited. For preventive and rehabilitative purposes, the law will establish pedagogical measures, prophylactic or therapeutic for those who consume these substances."
"The State will provide special attention for the dependent or addicted and their family in order to strengthen values and principles that help to prevent behavior that affects people's health and will develop ongoing campaigns for the prevention of drug consumption and in favor of recovery addicts."
The bill just completed the second of eight debates required to achieve constitutional reform.
Under Colombian law it it not a crime to carry drugs for personal use. President Alvaro Uribe has pushed for the criminalization of this personal dose.
