KUWAIT CITY, Dec 4: Lawyer Mohammed Ahmad Al-Rifai has emphasized the paramount importance of the new Decree Law No. 159/2025 concerning combating narcotics and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trafficking, which came into effect concurrently with the Ministry of Interior’s awareness campaign. Lawyer Al-Rifai explained that this new legislation represents a major legislative step forward, replacing Law No. 74/1983 and Decree-Law No. 48/1987. The law reflects the state’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the protection of society and upholding its security in light of the growing challenges posed by the spread of narcotics and the evolving methods used to smuggle and distribute them.
The new law, which comprises 84 articles distributed across 13 chapters, aims to enhance legal deterrence and eliminate the sources of drug-related crime. It covers various aspects related to drug smuggling, trafficking, distribution, possession, and use. It stipulates a clear increase in penalties for the most serious crimes, to the point that they may reach the death penalty in cases that warrant it. This reflects the state’s seriousness in confronting this scourge.
This level of tightening is aimed at undermining large-scale drug trafficking and the importation of drugs for distribution, which directly contributes to reducing drug-related crime rates and enhancing prevention. Regarding the therapeutic, rehabilitative, and humanitarian aspects, Lawyer Al-Rifai stated that the new legislation is not limited to punishment and deterrence but also includes provisions that address treatment and rehabilitation according to specific regulations. He emphasized the new law’s commitment to integrating the humanitarian dimension along with the punitive one, in line with international standards, by providing free treatment and rehabilitation centers, adding that this approach is in line with international standards and reflects the state’s efforts to treat addicts as individuals in need of care and rehabilitation.
Lawyer Al-Rifai commended the Ministry of Interior’s efforts in leading the two-week awareness campaign, emphasizing the importance of community partnership in combating the scourge of drugs. He stressed that the campaign highlights the serious health, social, and security consequences of drug use, particularly since young people are the most vulnerable group. Lawyer Al-Rifai stressed that the new law reinforces the concept of collective responsibility in protecting society, which requires activating the role of the family, including parents, siblings, and relatives, through supervision to prevent exposure to peer pressure and harmful influences, and avoid the dangers posed by bad friends. He stressed the need for full cooperation between the state and its institutions on one hand, and civil society, homes, and families on the other, to curb the spread of drug and psychotropic substance abuse. Lawyer Al-Rifai called on all members of society and its institutions to support the awareness campaign and actively contribute to achieving the goals of the new law, raising awareness, and encouraging society to play a stronger role in protecting children and safeguarding the future of the nation.
By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
