Under the amendments, providing premises for the operation of drug dens is punishable by a fine of up to 2,000 conditional units or imprisonment for a term of 5 to 7 years. If the crime is committed by a group of individuals or by abusing one’s official position, the sentence is increased to 8–12 years of imprisonment. If criminal groups or organizations are involved in operating drug dens, the guilty parties may face up to 15 years in prison.
In addition, the illegal prescription of medications containing narcotic or psychotropic substances will be punishable by a fine of 1,500 to 1,750 conditional units or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 4 years. Legal entities face a fine ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 conditional units.
The forgery of prescriptions or other documents used to obtain narcotic drugs will be punishable by imprisonment for a term of 3 to 6 years. In such cases, legal entities may face fines ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 conditional units, a ban on engaging in certain activities, or dissolution.
The bill also establishes liability for the use of accounts on social media, online platforms, web portals, apps, electronic messaging services, email, and other digital means for the purpose of promoting, distributing, delivering, or selling narcotics and other prohibited substances. Progressive penalties are proposed for such actions: 2 to 4 years of imprisonment for promoting and facilitating the illegal use of drugs, and 4 to 7 years for offering, sending, delivering, or distributing prohibited substances. If the crime is committed by a group of individuals or by taking advantage of one’s official position, the sentence will range from 7 to 10 years; if organized criminal groups or organizations are involved, the sentence will range from 10 to 12 years.
