The Office of the President organized on Wednesday a discussion
in the Civil Chamber on suitable legislation to achieve a “Mongolia without
alcoholics”. Representatives of the Ministries of Health, of Social Welfare and
Labor, of Education, Culture and Science, the State Specialized Inspecting
Agency, NGOs and citizens took part in the discussion.

Deputy Chief of the Policy Board of the Ministry of Justice and Internal
Affairs S.Mandakhbat gave details of a draft law on drinking alcohol, but
several participants felt that some previously expressed suggestions have not
been reflected in it and said the draft read like a statement from a chamber of
commerce and industry and favored the rich. They wanted provisions for
treatment and rehabilitation programs for alcohol addicts, help for anti-alcohol
activists, and recognition of the commercial aspects of the issue.