Artists who talk about drugs in their songs will be penalized with 150 minimum wages

A bill is being debated in the Senate of the Republic that would prohibit all types of music, publication, publicity, propaganda, or programs distributed through traditional media, social networks, or any other means that contain auditory, printed, or audiovisual subliminal stimuli and messages that encourage the consumption and illegal trafficking of drugs and controlled substances. The initiative, spearheaded by Hato Mayor senator Cristóbal Venerado Castillo (PRM), seeks to amend Article 36 of Dominican Republic Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances.

The law was amended on December 2 to extend the prohibition on inciting the consumption of drugs and controlled substances through songs, clothing, and other means of dissemination. Although article 36 of Law 50-88 prohibits the promotion of drug and controlled substance use, it makes no mention of sanctions. The current legislation states that “any type of publication, publicity, propaganda, or programs through the media that contain subliminal, auditory, printed, or audiovisual stimuli and messages that tend to favor drug consumption and illicit trafficking of drugs and controlled substances” are prohibited.

The new piece will prevent the use of clothing that alludes to drugs and/or controlled substances, which, according to Castillo, encourages their consumption and makes it appear normal and legal, which is illegal.