You're reading: Yanukovych signs law on shutting establishments where drugs seized

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed a law making amendments to Article 9 of the Ukrainian law "On measures to counteract the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic agents, their precursors and their abuse", according to the presidential Web site.

The law was adopted on Sept. 8.

According to amendments, in the case of there being systemic or mass consumption or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic agents or their analogues in the public establishments (restaurants, cafes, cinemas, night clubs, discotheques, gaming halls, and entertainment complexes) and the failure by the managers of these establishments to prevent the consumption and sale of narcotic drugs after being given an official warning by the police, the work of such establishments is to be stopped by the courts for a term of three months. If in a year there is another case of the consumption or sale of narcotics, the work of such establishments is to be stopped for six months.

The court is to take a decision to halt the work of such establishments within a month, starting from the day of a report by the police being given.

While a court order to stop the work of a given establishment is valid, the operators of such establishments are not allowed to operate a similar establishment.