Muscat: The drug problem is currently one of the major challenges faced by countries worldwide, and they are striving vigorously to combat it due to its significant impact on health, social, economic, and security aspects. This problem is no longer confined to a specific type of drug, country, or a particular segment of society; it encompasses all types and classes.
In the Sultanate of Oman, the government is working to curb the spread of this scourge through the implementation of strict laws against drug traffickers and intensified awareness campaigns.
Dr Ahmed bin Saeed al Jahwari, a lawyer and legal consultant, pointed out that drugs and psychoactive substances encompass anything that impairs the mind and affects the nervous system, leading to addiction. Al Jahwari explained that Omani law deals firmly with this phenomenon, from possession to a person's presence in a drug-use session, emphasising that participation in such a session is a crime punishable by law.
Discussing the types of crimes emphasised in drug control, Al Jahwari affirmed that the law imposes strict penalties for trafficking, selling, using, and cultivating drugs, as well as financing those involved or collecting money from drug-related crimes. He noted that the punishments are among the most severe in dealing with this crime, with the final penalty potentially being imprisonment or even death.
Al Jahwari added that if a person is apprehended for the first time on charges of drug use, the law shows flexibility in dealing with the matter. The case may be adjourned in favour of the public prosecutor or the specialised anti-drug team. Even if the case reaches the court, the accused's minimum sentence may be accepted.
He clarified that this flexible approach aims to provide an opportunity for the individual involved in drug use to reconsider their actions and make a positive decision to stop drug consumption. The minimum sentence is considered an opportunity for reflection and improvement, effectively encouraging repentance and abandoning this harmful habit.
Regarding the reasons that drive youth towards this scourge, Al Jahwari pointed to the influence of bad friends and the misconception of experimentation as key factors. Regarding the confession of drug users, he explained that if the accused confesses before being apprehended, they are not legally punished. He highlighted the law's confidential treatment of them, considering them as patients needing treatment.
Dr Abdulaziz bin Mubarak al Rashdi affirmed that drugs are considered a chronic disease that undermines societies, emphasising that they are chemical substances that affect the nervous system. He mentioned that the reasons for youth drifting towards this path include loneliness, bad companions, and weak family supervision. Dr Al Rashdi referred to Royal Decree No. 17/99 as a measure to regulate and combat this scourge in society.
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