KUWAIT, Dec 1 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior confirmed that, in a legislative step reflecting Kuwait's commitment to a more rigorous and comprehensive approach to combating drugs, Amiri Decree Law No. 159 of 2025 on combating drugs and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trafficking, has been issued.
In a televised interview, Brigadier General Mohammad Qabazard, Head of the General Directorate for Drug Control at the Ministry, stated that the new law, which will come into effect on December 15, constitutes a comprehensive legislative framework comprising 84 articles distributed across 13 chapters.
These chapters cover all aspects related to narcotics, including punitive, preventative, and therapeutic measures, in addition to regulating medical use and monitoring the distribution of these substances.
Qabazard pointed out that the law aims to ensure Kuwait's efforts to enhance community security and improve the effectiveness of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs, given the global expansion of trafficking networks and the emergence of new types of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
He noted that the new drug law includes deterrent penalties, reaching the death penalty in some articles, and emphasized that this legislation comes within the framework of a more stringent approach to combating drug trafficking crimes and protecting society from their increasing dangers.
Qabazard emphasized that addiction complaints are treated with complete confidentiality, stating that anyone who discloses confidential information or data related to these complaints will be held legally accountable, which ensures the protection of applicants' privacy and encourages them to seek treatment without hesitation.
He stressed that pharmacists are not permitted to dispense any quantity of narcotic or psychotropic substances except with a prescription issued by the Ministry or a physician licensed to practice medicine in Kuwait, and only according to the patient's need.
Qabazard called on everyone to cooperate with the Interior Ministry and support their efforts in combating the scourge of drugs, affirming that protecting society is a shared responsibility that requires concerted official and community efforts.
For his part, Assistant Director General of the General Directorate for Drug Control, Brigadier General Hamad Al-Sabah, stated that several unlicensed farms were raided during 2025, where quantities of various narcotic substances were seized.
He emphasized that these measures are part of ongoing efforts to confront illegal activities and enhance community security.
During the same meeting, Al-Sabah urged everyone to contact the department's hotline, 1884141, to report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that the process of receiving and handling reports is conducted with complete confidentiality, ensuring the protection of the informant's identity and supporting security efforts in combating the scourge of drugs.
For his part, Brigadier General Nasser Bouslaib, the Interior Ministry's official spokesperson and Director General of the Ministry's Public Relations and Security Media Department, stated that the ministry launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law under the slogan "We Protect Our Nation." The campaign aims to increase public awareness of the dangers of narcotics and reduce their spread, in a televised interview, Bouslaib explained that the campaign will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase will last for two weeks and will focus on familiarizing the public with the provisions of the new law before its implementation on the 15th of next month, the second phase will consist of a year-round awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
He noted that the campaign's objectives include outlining the new and stricter penalties for drug and psychotropic substance offenses and clarifying the legal opportunities available for addiction treatment.
He stated that the campaign targets teenagers, youth, and parents, as well as the public, stressing that raising awareness is a key element in protecting society from the dangers of narcotics and psychotropic substances, in line with Kuwait's efforts to enhance community security and prevention. (end) kna.res