Kuwait Rolls Out New Anti-Narcotics Law Unifying the Comprehensive Legal Framework on Drug Control

On 15 December 2025, Decree-Law No. 159/2025 on combating narcotic drugs and dangerous psychotropic substances and regulating the use and trade thereof (the Anti-Drug Law) took effect. The Anti-Drug Law was issued on 24 November 2025 and published in the Official Gazette Al Kuwait Al Yawm on 30 November 2025, taking effect two weeks after publication.

Aim of rolling out Anti-Drug Law

According to Article 83, this law shall abrogate the previous anti-drug legislations, Law No. 74/983 on combating drugs and the regulation of their use and trafficking, and Law No. 48/1987 on the control of psychotropic substances and regulation of the use and trafficking thereof. The Anti-Drug Law will also abrogate any provision of any other law that contradicts with its provisions.

The Explanatory Memorandum of the Anti-Drug Law notes that the majority of countries in the world have moved towards merging their laws on combating narcotics and psychotropic substances into a single law, benefiting from unifying the concepts and terminology used in the field of combating drugs, as well as unifying the legal provisions related to crimes, penalties, and procedures.

The Anti-Drug Law thus enhances the legal and administrative clarity surrounding the anti-drug framework for the general public and moreover implements a consistent application across different enforcement authorities in Kuwait.

Chapter One defines all key terms used throughout the Anti-Drug Law, including the Ministry (Ministry of Health), Minister (Minister of Health), licensing procedures, narcotic and psychotropic substances, and more. It also establishes definitions for addicts, users, and treatment/rehabilitation centres, creating a clear glossary of unified terms under the framework.

Key features:

1. Establishment of Competent Authorities (Chapter Two)

1.1 Supreme Council for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

• a Supreme Council mandated as the coordinating authority for inter-ministerial coordination is to be established, enhancing prevention and awareness, forming national strategy and ensuring compliance with international drug-control conventions.

1.2 Ministry of Health – Rehabilitation and Treatment Centres

• Ministry of Health must establish rehabilitation and addiction treatment centres.

1.3 Ministry of Interior – Reform & Rehabilitation Centres

• Ministry of Interior to set up specialized reform and rehabilitation centres for those serving sentences for drug possession/use.
• Centres must occupy independent buildings, separate from regular prisons.

2. Regulation of Import, Export, Production, Transport & Cultivation (Chapter Three)

2.1 General Prohibition

• Comprehensive prohibition on the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, possession, purchase, sale, trade, dispensing, prescribing, consumption, or introduction into another’s body of narcotics/psychotropics listed in the schedules.
• Exceptions only as permitted under the Anti-Drug Law.

2.2 Import/Export Licenses

• Importation of narcotic/psychotropic substances or chemical precursors are forbidden without a license.
• Export/transport also requires a license from the Minister of Health.
• Ministry of Health to maintain a special register of licensed entities.

3. Trading Licenses (Chapter Four)

3.1 Licensing Requirement

• Trading in narcotic or psychotropic substances/preparations is strictly prohibited without a license issued by the Minister of Health.

4. Possession & Medical Prescribing Regulations (Chapter Five)

4.1 Medical Prescriptions

• Licensed physicians may prescribe narcotic/psychotropic substances using special prescriptions.
• Physicians are prohibited from prescribing these substances for themselves or relatives up to second degree.

4.2 Prescription Issuance & Dispensing

• Provisions regulating prescription issuance, dispensing, and use.
• Minister of Health to issue regulatory decisions detailing:
  • Required data and conditions for issuing special prescriptions.
  • Required entries in the dedicated register recording incoming prescriptions.

4.3 Possession by Aircraft/Vessel Pilots

• Allows pilots and captains of Kuwaiti international aircraft/vessels to possess limited quantities of specified psychotropics (as set out in schedules 2, 3 and 4 of the second category attached to the Anti-Drug Law for first aid/emergencies). Quantities will be determined by a resolution issued by the Minister of Health.

• Pilots and captains of foreign international aircraft and vessels entering or leaving Kuwait may carry these substances, provided they are declared to the competent authority and securely sealed. The person responsible for the means of transport must notify the competent authority upon arrival and departure. These substances and preparations are exempt from the import and export provisions stipulated in this decree.

4.4 Incoming Patients Carrying Medication

• Patients arriving in the country may bring:
  • Narcotic preparations (as specified in schedule 1 of the first category for up to 15 days of treatment).
  • Psychotropic substances (as specified in schedules 2, 3 and 4) for up to one month.
• Patients must provide medical reports and prescriptions.
• Documents must be certified in writing or electronically by official Kuwaiti authorities abroad.

5. Penalties (Chapter Nine, Articles 42-60)

• Major offenses (e.g. smuggling, production or cultivating drugs with intent to trade) may result in death or life imprisonment, along with fines between KD 100,000 and KD 2 million, or an amount equal to the value of the seized substances.
• Lesser trafficking-related offenses (e.g. possession for trade, promotion) may result in death or life imprisonment, along with fines ranging from KD 50,000 to KD 500,000.
• The Anti-Drug Law also provides that organizing an international drug-trafficking operation is punishable by death, while participation in such groups carries life imprisonment and fines ranging from KD 20,000 to KD 50,000.
• Strict penalties are also imposed for crimes such as exploitation of minors, drug use in treatment and rehabilitation centres, coercing others to use drugs, and planting narcotics on others with the intent of falsely accusing them of possession.

The Anti-Drug Law reinforces national controls on narcotics and psychotropics through expanded licensing, oversight, and enforcement mechanisms. It is expected that the Anti-Drug Law will enhance governmental coordination and implement a more effective framework across entities for the advancement of public health and safety and the prevention of substance abuse and unlawful use. The Kuwait Government has demonstrated a strong commitment to enforcing the Anti-Drug Law and has already raised awareness through print & electronic media campaigns. Additionally, the government has distributed messages via the official government-services Sahel Application for mobile devices, which almost all adult residents and citizens of Kuwait have compulsory access to, ensuring widespread coverage.