KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1: Director of the Drug Control General Department Brigadier General Mohammed Qabazard stated that the new anti-narcotics law marks a significant advancement in confronting society’s most serious challenges. He highlighted that the previous law, which was over 30 years old, no longer reflected current realities. Brigadier General Qabazard declared that the new law, set to take effect on December 15, provides a comprehensive legislative framework with 84 articles across 13 chapters. These chapters cover all aspects of narcotics, including punitive, preventive, and therapeutic measures, as well as the regulation of medical use and monitoring of substance distribution.
In a televised interview, Brigadier General Qabazard explained that substances like crystal meth and synthetic cannabinoids were not covered under the previous law, which focused primarily on hashish, cocaine, and heroin. The new law includes these highly dangerous synthetic drugs in a unified schedule of psychotropic substances, standardizing penalties for all narcotics and psychotropic substances. The new penalties are extremely severe, including death or life imprisonment for drug trafficking and smuggling. Brigadier General Qabazard urged families to stay vigilant about the dangers of these substances and the legal consequences.
He clarified that the new drug law does not recognize the concept of “personal use”, as simply having a narcotic substance in a person’s body is considered a criminal offense. Brigadier General Qabazard emphasized that addiction complaints are submitted directly to the Narcotics Prosecution Office and handled with full confidentiality, after which the addict is referred to a treatment center. He revealed that the law also introduces a provision penalizing anyone who discloses a drug user’s confidential information to any party. Addressing families, Brigadier General Qabazard said, “If you discover that one of your children is using drugs, do not hesitate to contact us. Our doors are open 24/7, and all reports will be treated with complete confidentiality.” He commended the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al- Sabah for his continuous oversight of the law’s drafting, and praised the committee chaired by Mohammed Al-Duaij, which included representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, General Administration of Customs, the Fatwa and Legislation Department, and the Cabinet’s Legal Committee. Meanwhile, Assistant Director of the Drug Control General Department (DCGD) Brigadier General Hamad Al-Sabah noted that penalties under the previous law were not sufficiently deterrent given the risks posed by new substances, particularly crystal meth and synthetic cannabinoids. He explained that the new law primarily strengthens penalties for trafficking, importation, and cultivation, while addressing drug users from a therapeutic rather than punitive perspective.
Article 61 allows users to voluntarily seek treatment at a hospital without any prior record. Article 62 permits third-degree relatives such as spouses, children, or mothers, to report an addict’s case to the relevant authorities for confidential referral to a hospital. The hotline No. 1 88 41 41 operates 24/7 for receiving reports with complete confidentiality. Article 50, concerning the “companion” (a person in contact with a patient), has also been strengthened. A person will be penalized if they knowingly possess or handle a narcotic substance, but will be exempt if unaware of its nature. All medications with narcotic effects, notably Lyrica, are now illegal unless dispensed with a valid prescription from a government hospital. These medications are not available for sale in pharmacies.
Also, prescriptions for treatment abroad must be officially certified. In addition, Director of the Public Relations and Security Media Department Brigadier General Nasser Abu Salib stated that the “We Protect Our Nation” campaign was launched concurrently with the issuance of the new narcotics law. He explained that the campaign involves all state institutions and the private sector, with the first phase set to run for two weeks to deliver awareness messages to citizens and residents. The media plan was developed through intensive coordination and aims to reach the public quickly and effectively.
The awareness campaigns focus on three main segments – teenagers, young adults, and parents. Families play a crucial part in closely monitoring their children, particularly in light of evolving promotion methods through electronic games, which have become a major challenge. Abu Salib revealed that an awareness campaign will be launched on Thursday at The Avenues Mall for four days, with participation from the Ministry of Interior and the Kuwait Bar Association, adding that a team of association members will be on-site to respond directly to public inquiries
By Munif Nayef Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
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