Kuwait | New Anti-Drug Law Introduces Death Penalty, Surprise Testing, and Strict Enforcement

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 26: Divorce rates in Kuwait are rising, with recent statistics indicating that addiction—particularly among wives—has become a significant contributing factor. In response, authorities are preparing to introduce surprise premarital drug testing as part of a broader set of reforms under Kuwait’s new drug law.

The countdown has officially begun for the enforcement of this new legislation, which was drafted by a judicial committee formed by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef. The committee is headed by Counselor Mohammed Rashid Al-Duaij.

According to a reliable source, the law will be published in the Official Gazette next Sunday and will come into force just two weeks after publication. This rapid implementation reflects the critical importance of the legislation in combating drug abuse and eliminating the spread of harmful substances. The source confirmed that the new law closes “all procedural loopholes” that previously allowed many drug dealers to evade punishment due to technicalities in arrest or investigation procedures. Under the revised framework, acquittals based on such procedural errors will become “virtually impossible.”

He added that addiction treatment will now be compulsory rather than optional, marking a major shift aimed at reducing the demand for narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Key Provisions of the New Drug Law

Severe Penalties

- 14 offenses carry the death penalty, while 19 offenses are punishable by life imprisonment.

- Numerous other offenses carry 15-year prison terms, and fines may reach up to two million Kuwaiti dinars.

Mandatory Testing for Government Employees

- All state employees—men and women, including senior leadership—will be subject to mandatory, random, and periodic drug testing without exception.

Strict Penalties for Drug Distribution, Even Casually

- Death penalty for offering a friend a hashish cigarette, a Lyrica pill, or a Captagon tablet, whether as a gift, out of courtesy, or “just to try.”

- Death penalty for offering one gram of heroin or a Tramadol tablet in exchange for any favor, service, or benefit—even if the request is legitimate, such as delivering a car or processing a transaction.

Offenses Related to Social Settings

- 15-year imprisonment for slipping any narcotic or psychotropic substance into someone’s food or drink as a joke or prank.

- 15-year imprisonment for organizing or preparing a private gathering for drug consumption—whether in a home, chalet, camp, or any private location—even if only two people are involved.

Penalties for Incitement or Association

- 3-year imprisonment for merely accompanying a drug user. 3-year imprisonment for discussing the “benefits” of drugs such as hashish, marijuana, or crystal meth in any form—including WhatsApp messages, videos, or group posts.

- 3-year imprisonment for wearing clothing or displaying car stickers that promote drug use or imply any benefits.

Reporting and Enforcement Mechanisms

Spouses and parents may confidentially report an addicted family member via the Sahl app. Once a report is filed, authorities will arrest the individual within one hour.

Premarital Drug Testing

Mandatory premarital drug tests will now include an element of surprise. This measure aims to prevent individuals from concealing addiction by temporarily stopping substance use before testing.

Recent data indicates an increase in divorce cases linked to addiction—particularly among wives—prompting the government to prioritize early detection.

Source: arabtimesonline.com, Staff, November 26, 2025

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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