The ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illegal Drug Trade’ (trafficking) fall on 26 June each year and its main aim is to stress the need to improve people’s understanding of the world drug problem and how, this awareness can foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.
This year’s theme is “Better Knowledge for Better Care”, and we are taking this opportunity to talk about drugs in Qatar, laws against drug trafficking, and where to go if you or someone close to you is suffering from substances (illegal drugs) abuse.
Punishment for drug trading in Qatar
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Qatar has enforced severe penalties for the possession, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs. Anyone found guilty of these offences can face long-term imprisonment and pay heavy fines, which is usually followed by deportation. Fines may range from QR 200,000 to around QR 500,000. In fact, drug trafficking may also carry a possible death sentence (Expatica). See the Laws below.
The authorities in Qatar make absolutely no exceptions and, if an ex-pat is caught trafficking illegal drugs, even their embassy won’t be able to or allowed to intercede on their behalf when it comes to the severe drug laws in Qatar.
Travellers entering Qatar will have their luggage scanned at Hamad International Airport, just like all other airports around the world. If the authorities have any suspicions, the luggage will be searched, but physical searches are the exception rather than the rule.
Laws against drug trading in Qatar
Article 1, Law No. 9 on Control and Regulation of Control and Regulation of Narcotic Drugs and Dangerous Psychotropic Substances: Qatar strictly prohibits the import, export, production, manufacture, cultivation, ownership, acquisition, possession, trafficking, buying, selling, transferring, delivering and receipt of narcotic substances or plants, or dangerous psychotropic substances.
Article 34: Anyone exporting or importing drugs or psychotropic substances with the intention of trafficking will face execution or life imprisonment. The person will also be fined between QR 300,000 and QR500,000.
Article 35: Anyone possessing, buying or selling drugs for trade purposes will be jailed for at least 10 years, but not more than 20 years, and will also be fined between QR 200,000 to QR 400,000.
Who to contact for any drug related issues in Qatar
For any drug related issues in Qatar, you can contact the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at +974 234 7000.
Where to go for substance abuse problems in Qatar
If you need help with substance abuse, you can contact Naufar which operates under the Ministry of Public Health. Based in Doha, Naufar is a groundbreaking new sanctuary for the wellness and treatment of substance use and related behavioural disorders. Care is provided by experts in mental health, physical health, occupational health and addiction, in a purpose-built facility that includes 127 residential rooms together with clinics and over 50 individual and group treatment/therapy rooms.
Through medically-led multidisciplinary teams that address the neurobiological basis of addiction, the patients’ relationship with their family, their work is examined. In addition, common co-occurring areas of concern in addiction including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and trauma are addressed. Residential and non-residential programmes, assessment services, individualised treatment, and community awareness programmes are part of the offered services.