Article 51 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

المادة 51 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية

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.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

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 لا تزيد على ثلاثة أشهر، أو بغرامة لا تزيد على ثلاثين ألف ريال.

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 51 explained in plain English

This article sets an important safeguard for an addict undergoing treatment, and has two parts:

First: the duty of confidentiality

The addict is treated in complete confidentiality.
His identity and any information about him must be kept secret.

Second: the penalty for disclosure

Any of the persons concerned with that information who discloses any of it, at any stage of the case, is punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months, or a fine not exceeding SAR 30,000. The text gives a choice between the two penalties.

The penalty is addressed to "the persons concerned with that information", meaning those who receive it by virtue of their role; the article does not list their categories. The protection also extends to all stages of the case, not only the treatment stage.

The purpose of this article is to encourage the addict and his family to seek treatment without fear of scandal or social stigma, which fits with the Law's other treatment provisions, including Article 50, which allows requiring a user whose addiction is established to attend a psychiatric clinic instead of the Article 41 penalty, requires a person released from a clinic to attend it, and requires the doctor to submit a report to the Committee for Considering Addiction Cases within 3 months.

It is followed by Article 52, which moves on to the rules on confiscating seized narcotics and destroying them or handing them to a government body.

Anyone who believes the information about his treatment for addiction has been disclosed, or who faces an accusation of disclosure, can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.

Practical example

Abdullah is receiving treatment for addiction, and a staff member with access to his file learns of his condition and tells Abdullah's coworkers. This is a disclosure of information that must be kept secret, punishable under Article 51 by imprisonment of up to 3 months or a fine of up to SAR 30,000.

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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