No mercy for dealers, safe haven for victims: Law 159 kicks off today, declares all-out war on drugs
The deterrence system is reinforced through two parallel tracks: a comprehensive increase in penalties for all drug-related crimes, and the imposition of the harshest punishments — including the death penalty, life imprisonment and heavy fines — for the most serious offenses such as importation, smuggling, manufacturing and cultivation.
- The law integrates and unifies previous drug-related legislation, streamlining concepts, terminology, penalties and procedures to ensure clarity, consistency and effective enforcement.
- Its early provisions offer precise definitions and expand criminalization to include all forms of illicit dealing, including non-monetary exchanges such as bartering services or benefits, significantly strengthening the law’s reach and deterrent power.
Decree-Law No. 159 of 2025 on combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which comes into force today (Monday), Dec 15, 2025; marks a decisive turning point in the country’s legislative battle against drugs.
The landmark law establishes a comprehensive and unprecedented legal framework aimed at dismantling drug networks, drying up their sources of funding, and rescuing victims from addiction through firm deterrence paired with secure, confidential treatment pathways.
Comprising 84 articles, the law reflects a balanced national policy that combines the toughest penalties for traffickers with a humanitarian approach toward addicts. While it imposes maximum punishments to strike at organized criminal networks, it simultaneously opens safe and secret channels for treatment and rehabilitation, encouraging addicts to seek help without fear of prosecution or social stigma, reports A-Rai daily.
The law integrates and unifies previous drug-related legislation, streamlining concepts, terminology, penalties and procedures to ensure clarity, consistency and effective enforcement.
Its early provisions offer precise definitions and expand criminalization to include all forms of illicit dealing, including non-monetary exchanges such as bartering services or benefits, significantly strengthening the law’s reach and deterrent power.
The deterrence system is reinforced through two parallel tracks: a comprehensive increase in penalties for all drug-related crimes, and the imposition of the harshest punishments — including the death penalty, life imprisonment and heavy fines — for the most serious offenses such as importation, smuggling, manufacturing and cultivation.
Special protection is extended to vulnerable groups, with capital punishment prescribed in cases involving the exploitation of minors, persons with mental illness, or individuals under the offender’s care.
At the same time, the law preserves a strong human dimension. Article 61 exempts addicts from criminal prosecution if they voluntarily seek treatment before any complaint is filed, ensuring rehabilitation takes precedence over punishment.
Strict confidentiality measures protect the identity and safety of informants and patients, with penalties imposed on anyone who unlawfully discloses personal data related to reports or treatment.
The legislation promotes responsible family involvement by allowing spouses and close relatives to report addicts solely for treatment purposes, under full confidentiality guarantees.
It also mandates the establishment of specialized rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers, alongside reform and rehabilitation facilities where convicted users undergo medical treatment, psychological care, training and social reintegration programs.
In a further step toward balanced justice, the law grants prosecutors and courts the authority to order rehabilitation instead of prosecution or punishment for drug use offenses committed for personal consumption.
The creation of the Supreme Council for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances reinforces a unified national strategy aligned with international conventions, encompassing prevention, awareness, treatment and enforcement.
Strict controls are also imposed on the medical prescribing and dispensing of narcotics to prevent abuse and leakage. Ahead of implementation, state institutions launched extensive awareness campaigns, led by the Ministry of Interior under the slogan “We Protect the Homeland,” complemented by initiatives from the Public Prosecution and other agencies.
Together, these measures signal a new era of zero tolerance toward drug crime and uncompromising enforcement, paired with safe and humane pathways to recovery.
