KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: The Council of Ministers, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, on Tuesday approved a draft decree-law on combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trade.

The proposed decree-law seeks to merge Law No. 74 of 1983, concerning the combating of narcotics and regulating their use and trade, with Decree-Law No. 48 of 1987, which addresses psychotropic substances. The unified legislation strengthens penalties to include the death penalty and heavy fines for smugglers, dealers, promoters, and traffickers of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

According to the Cabinet, the merger aims to enhance the protection of society from the dangers of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by unifying legal concepts, terminology, and provisions in this field. The integration will also streamline enforcement procedures and ensure more effective application of the law.

The Cabinet decided to submit the draft decree-law on combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trade to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for approval.