The UAE is revising its drug laws with heavy penalties and rehabilitation units
The UAE issued a new federal order implementing certain provisions of the Federal law in the fight against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, strengthening national capacity, treatment capacity and regulatory oversight.
These amendments are part of the country’s efforts to improve public protection, support justice and protect rights while ensuring that narcotics control measures reflect the highest standards of control, health and safety.
The updated federal regulation harmonizes the legal framework with the latest institutional and regulatory developments in both medical products and the National Narcotic Control Systems.
UAE Drug Law
The important amendment replaces the directives of the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Minister of Health and Prevention of Drug Residence in the Emirates and its Chairman, by naming the business as the competent authority to control medical products in the UAE.
The references to the Ministry of Interior are replaced with the National Anti-Narcotic Authority, which shows its leading role in leading the country’s efforts to fight narcotic-related crimes.
These amendments also increase the capacity of military health by allowing Federal health authorities and private health centers to establish specialized units in the treatment and rehabilitation of addictive drugs and psychotropic substances.
Detailed regulations for these units will be issued by the UAE cabinet, and local authorities can create similar areas within their strategies to support a comprehensive treatment plan for the entire country.
UAE NARCOTICS penalty
Federal law introduces severe penalties for transporting narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without obtaining a valid prescription or in quantities above the permitted limits.
Violator pharmacies face imprisonment of less than five years and a fine of less than AED50,000 ($13,612), for such violations are treated as acts of narcotic drug use.
Penalties also increase for doctors who issue prescriptions for narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a license, without medical approval or in violation of permitted limits.
The penalty is imprisonment for not less than five years and a fine of less than AED50,000 ($13,612), and the law has been shown to be guilty of simplification, and it strengthens the strict national standards that govern medical orders.
Additional reviews apply to the safety and handling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for scientific and clinical purposes.
Licenses can be granted to relevant organizations including health facilities, chemical testing laboratories, research centers and facilities involved in the production of medical products, storage and distribution, according to the basis of the competent authorities.
Certain parts of the plants listed in the schedules attached to the law are always exempted from criminalization under approved controls.
Rule of Law
Federal law also mandates the deportation of aliens convicted of narcotics offenses after serving their sentences.
Courts must order deportation except in cases where the spouse or first relative of the UAE citizen at the time of the offense, or when deportation would seriously damage the stability of the family or reduce the family’s financial ability to support treatment.
The federal regulation also reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to the country’s comprehensive approach to combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which includes strict reduction through effective treatment and modern security measures.
