Article 44 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 44 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article provides for a Committee for Considering Addiction Cases, formed by decision of the Minister of Interior in agreement with the Minister of Health, with its tasks, membership and procedures left to the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تكون لجنة بقرار من وزير الداخلية بالاتفاق مع وزير الصحة تسمى لجنة النظر في حالات الإدمان. وتحدد اللائحة مهماتها واختصاصاتها وعضويتها وإجراءات سير العمل فيها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 44 explained in plain English
This article creates a specialized body called the Committee for Considering Addiction Cases, and addresses two matters:
- How it is formed: by decision of the Minister of Interior in agreement with the Minister of Health, so it combines the security and health dimensions.
- How it is organized: the Implementing Regulations specify its tasks, powers, membership and working procedures.
The article itself does not state the committee's powers or its members; all of that is left to the Implementing Regulations.
This article sits between two provisions connected with treating addicts: Article 43 allows, instead of imposing the penalty on an addict for use, an order placing him in a designated clinic, with the Implementing Regulations setting the cases, the ordering authority and the conditions for release. Article 45 provides that if a person placed in a clinic commits any of the offenses of this Law during his treatment, the prison sentence passed against him is carried out after deducting the time he spent in the clinic.
A joint committee between the Interior and Health sides reflects the Law's approach of treating addiction as a matter of treatment as well as a criminal matter. Anyone who needs to know the committee's role in a particular case can refer to the Implementing Regulations or consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 44 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
What is the Committee for Considering Addiction Cases?
A committee formed by decision of the Minister of Interior in agreement with the Minister of Health, according to Article 44.
What are the powers of the Committee for Considering Addiction Cases?
The Implementing Regulations specify its tasks, powers, membership and working procedures; the article itself does not state them.
More articles on Addiction Treatment
- Article 42
The article bars prosecution of a user or addict who comes forward, or whose relative comes forward, asking for treatment and hands over what he holds, and allows the investigation to be shelved for a first offense under set conditions.
1- لا تقام الدعوى بسبب تعاطي أو استعمال أو إدمان المخدرات أو المؤثرات العقلية بحق مرتكب أحد هذه الأفعال إذا تقدم بنفسه أو أحد أصوله أو فروعه أو زوجه أو أحد أقار
- Article 43
The article allows an addict to be placed in a designated clinic instead of being punished for use, and leaves the cases, the ordering authority and the conditions for release to the Implementing Regulations.
يجوز -بدلا من إيقاع العقوبة على المدمن بسبب تعاطي المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية - الأمر بإيداعه في إحدى المصحات المخصصة لهذا الغرض. وتحدد اللائحة الحالات ا
- Article 45
The article provides that a person placed in a clinic who commits any offense under this Law during treatment serves the prison sentence passed against him, after deducting the time he spent in the clinic.
إذا ارتكب المودع في المصحة أثناء فترة علاجه أيا من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، فيتم تنفيذ عقوبة السجن المحكوم بها عليه بعد خصم المدة التي قضاها في المص
- Article 50
The article allows requiring an addict to attend a psychiatric clinic instead of the Article 41 penalty, requires a person released from a clinic to attend it, and requires a doctor's report to the addiction committee within 3 months.
يجوز -بدلا من توقيع العقوبة المنصوص عليها في المادة (الحادية والأربعين) من هذا النظام - إلزام المتعاطي أو مستعمل المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية ممن يثبت إدم
- Article 51
The article requires treating an addict in complete confidentiality and keeping his identity and any information about him secret, and punishes the persons concerned who disclose it with up to 3 months in prison or a fine of up to SAR 30,000.
يعالج المدمن بسرية تامة، ويجب التكتم على هويته وأي معلومة تتعلق به، ومن يفش من المعنيين بتلك المعلومات شيئا من ذلك في أي مرحلة من مراحل القضية يعاقب بالسجن مدة
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.