Article 50 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 50 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 إدمانه، بمراجعة عيادة نفسية تخصص لهذا الغرض لمساعدته على التخلص من الإدمان. ويلزم من يتقرر الإفراج عنه من المصحة بمراجعة العيادة النفسية للتيقن من شفائه، على أن يرفع طبيب العيادة المكلف بمساعدة المدمن تقريرا عن حالته إلى لجنة النظر في حالات الإدمان خلال ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ بدء المريض بمراجعة العيادة النفسية، لكي تقرر إيقاف مراجعته العيادة، أو استمراره لمدة أخرى.
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 50 explained in plain English
This article sets another treatment alternative to punishment, and covers two cases:
Case one: an alternative to punishment
Instead of imposing the penalty provided for in Article 41, it is permitted to require a user of narcotics or psychotropic substances whose addiction is established to attend a psychiatric clinic designated for this purpose, to help him get rid of addiction. Article 41 punishes with imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years a person who commits the acts of Articles 37 and 38 with the intent of use or personal consumption, and increases the penalty for those charged with enforcement and for a person who uses while at work.
Case two: follow-up after the clinic
A person who is released from the clinic is required to attend the psychiatric clinic to make sure he has recovered.
The role of the doctor and the committee: the clinic doctor assigned to help the addict submits a report on his condition to the Committee for Considering Addiction Cases within 3 months of the date the patient began attending the clinic, so that the committee decides whether to stop his attendance or continue it for another period. The article does not state how long that other period is.
Note that the first case is discretionary ("may") and requires that addiction be established, while the second is mandatory ("is required").
This article comes after Article 49, which punishes licensees who violate the registration and prescription rules with a fine, and before Article 51, which requires treating an addict in complete confidentiality and keeping his identity secret, and punishes the persons concerned who disclose it with imprisonment of up to 3 months or a fine of up to SAR 30,000.
Anyone with a relative in this situation can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
A young man in Abha is convicted of using drugs, and his addiction is established. Instead of sentencing him to prison under Article 41, he may be required to attend a designated psychiatric clinic. Three months after he begins attending, the doctor submits a report to the Committee for Considering Addiction Cases so that it decides whether to stop the attendance or continue it.
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 50 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Can a drug user be treated at a psychiatric clinic instead of being jailed?
Instead of the Article 41 penalty, a user whose addiction is established may be required to attend a designated psychiatric clinic to help him get rid of addiction.
Must an addict keep attending after leaving the clinic?
Yes. A person who is released from the clinic is required to attend the psychiatric clinic to make sure he has recovered.
When does the doctor submit his report to the addiction committee?
Within 3 months of the date the patient began attending the psychiatric clinic, so that the committee decides whether to stop the attendance or continue it.
Articles this article refers to
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 44
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.
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.
- 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 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.