New anti-drugs law takes effect, marking strongest legislative clampdown yet
The Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law takes effect Monday, marking a pivotal milestone in the country’s legislative efforts to combat drug-related crimes and protect society from their devastating effects.
The law establishes a comprehensive and unprecedented legal framework aimed at dismantling criminal networks while offering a humane path to recovery for victims of addiction.
According to a report by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the new law — comprising 84 articles — reflects a balanced national policy that combines maximum deterrence against drug traffickers with confidential and safe treatment options for addicts.
It represents a decisive shift toward confronting drug crimes at their roots while safeguarding public health and social stability.
The legislation consolidates previous laws on narcotics and psychotropic substances into a unified legal structure, streamlining definitions, penalties and procedures. This integration is designed to enhance clarity, ease enforcement and ensure consistency in the application of justice.
The opening articles of the law introduce precise definitions and significantly expand the scope of criminalization to include all forms of illicit dealing, including non-monetary exchanges such as bartering drugs for services or benefits. This expansion closes loopholes and reinforces legislative firmness against evolving criminal methods.
Deterrence is strengthened through a dual-track approach. The first involves a comprehensive increase in penalties across all drug-related offenses. The second focuses on the most serious crimes — such as importation, smuggling, manufacturing and cultivation — where penalties can reach life imprisonment or the death penalty, in addition to substantial financial fines.
The law places particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups. Article 44 stipulates capital punishment in cases of trafficking or promotion involving minors, persons with mental illnesses, or individuals entrusted with the care and upbringing of victims, underscoring zero tolerance for exploiting the vulnerable.
At the same time, the legislation carefully balances punitive measures with humanitarian considerations. Article 61 provides legal safeguards for addicts who voluntarily seek treatment before any complaint or criminal case is registered, exempting them from prosecution and encouraging early intervention.
Confidentiality and personal security are central pillars of the new framework. The law strictly protects the privacy of informants and individuals undergoing treatment, fostering trust and removing the fear of stigma or retaliation.
Article 56 imposes penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 10,000 dinars for anyone who unlawfully discloses private data related to reports, examinations or treatment of addicts, reinforcing the sanctity of personal information.
The law also promotes responsible family involvement in treatment. Under Article 62, spouses or relatives up to the third degree may report an addict for treatment purposes, with full confidentiality guaranteed. The individual may be released before completing the prescribed rehabilitation period upon recovery.
In terms of infrastructure, the legislation mandates the establishment of rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers. It also provides for reform and rehabilitation facilities overseen by the Ministry of Interior, where convicted users undergo medical treatment, rehabilitation, training and social reintegration programs.
In a significant shift toward rehabilitation, Articles 63 and 64 empower the Public Prosecution and the courts to order placement in rehabilitation centers instead of criminal prosecution or punishment for personal-use offenses, reinforcing a treatment-first approach.
The law further establishes the Supreme Council for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, tasked with formulating a comprehensive national strategy, enhancing prevention, treatment and awareness programs, and ensuring alignment with international conventions.
Strict regulations have also been introduced to govern the prescription and dispensing of narcotic substances, with clear controls outlined in several articles to prevent misuse and the diversion of medical drugs into illegal channels.
The law’s implementation follows two weeks of intensive awareness campaigns led by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, who described the legislation as ushering in a new era of firmness and empowering security agencies with the strongest punitive framework the country has ever adopted.
With its entry into force today, the new Anti-Narcotics Law signals a decisive national commitment to combating drugs through deterrence, prevention and rehabilitation — aiming to protect society, save lives and uphold the rule of law.
