Expert:Kuwait’s anti-drugs systems need to be fortified

Experts and academics have recommended that the national anti-drugs system be fortified to leave no chance for dealers to exploit any loopholes.

Many drug dealers seek to take advantage of any slack in the inspection operations and “legal loopholes,” thus the Ministry of Interior is advised to review the anti-drugs mechanisms of operations, namely the scientific methods followed by the personnel in unveiling crimes related to the narcotics, the experts advise.

Dr. Ahmad Al-Otaibi, head of the law division at Kuwait International Law School (KILAW), said in an interview with KUNA that the Kuwaiti law “fully tackles this menace and related crimes with penalty for drugs trade can be as hard as execution.

“However, the shortcoming lies in some cases in the detention procedures,” he said, urging the MoI strategists to re-examine the relevant measures, underscoring however the personnel record of successful clampdown on the dealers in the illegal materials. In addition to the State security personnel’s role, families, associations and other influential entities play a key role in guiding the youth and warning them against possible fall as prey to the harmful act.

Lawyer Hussein Al-Abdullah, also interviewed by KUNA, underlined necessity of tackling the drugs cases according to security, legal and educational grounds. “What is needed is a healthy system not a punitive one,” he said, calling for a distinction between the addicted and the promoter.

A new system should be established involving health and legal authorities to ensure that the addicted get the required treatment and the dealer is punished, Dr. Al-Abdullah said, also advising that hardcore drugs and stimulating materials should be equally regarded as narcotics.