44 new narcotic drugs may be part of UAE list of banned drugs

Dubai: The UAE has led the way in adding 44 new types of narcotics to its list of drugs prohibited in the UAE as part of its federal by-law, announced the UAE Ministry of Health on Sunday.

During the Drugs Higher Committee meeting, officials from the ministry and legal departments discussed methods to regulate new kinds of narcotics through updated regulations.

The 44 new types of narcotics available internationally will potentially be included under UAE laws, allowing for regulation and strict penalties once approved by the UAE Cabinet.

The UAE is the first country in the region to suggest the addition of all 44 new narcotic drugs.

Under the chairmanship of Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and Licensing at the ministry, the committee stressed the need to include the new drugs to the annexed schedule of the narcotics Federal by-law No 14 of 1995.

Under the law, those found guilty of introducing and/or promoting these new narcotics in the country will be penalised.

Also discussed were the measures to unify country-wide efforts in survelliance and control to prevent the entry of prohibited substances and drugs. “The current narcotics law recognises several kinds. However, 44 new clinically manufactured types have been discovered internationally whose effects are similar to implantable drug-delivery systems [that deliver drugs to a particular body region for a certain period],” Dr Al Amiri said.

He explained that the legal recognition of these new narcotics will prepare and empower the legal system to prosecute those found guilty.

The move comes as part of a study on the prevalence of narcotics in the UAE.

Officials hope that the move will deter the youth from narcotics and control websites that sell these products. The regulations will help fight the drug phenomenon and intensify surveillance processes.

The committee meeting included representatives from Dubai Courts, Public Prosecution, Criminal Evidence in Dubai and Sharjah Police, Ministries of Interior and Justice, Dubai Health Authority and Customs Federal Authority.