Drug Abuse in the Global Village

   KUWAIT

TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE

Extent of Drug Abuse Cannabis is reported the most abused drug in Kuwait with 11 annual abusers, according to 1991 registry data. Heroin is the next most abused drug with 4 cases, followed by hallucinogens with 1 case (U.N. 1991). Inhalents, such as wood glue known as "Pattix", are reported abused by teenagers (U.N. 1991).
Abuser Characteristics Abusers are reported between 20-45 years of age (U.N. 1991).

Regional Variations No Information reported by December 1993

Trends Some decrease in drug abuse is reported. This is attributed to increased drug control efforts, as well as a decline in the number of foreign employee following the Gulf War (U.N. 1991).
Mode of intake Heroin and hallucinogens are sniffed, and cannabis and opium are smoked. Traditionally, drugs were abused by smoking but recently, the popularity of sniffing drugs has increased.  The introduction of this method of drug abuse is attributed to an increased exposure to foreign cultures (via the media, visits, etc.) (U.N. 1991).

COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE

Consequences of drug abuse include an increase in both the divorce and school drop rates (U.N. 1991).

NATIONAL RESPONSES TO DRUG ABUSE

National Strategy The government has prepared programmes to protect families from the social problems arising from drug abuse, but no specific strategy is reported (U.N. 1991).

ACTION TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT  INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL TREATIES*

Treaty adherence Kuwait is party to the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

DEMAND REDUCTION ACTIVITIES

Primary Prevention: No information reported by 31st. December 1993.

Treatment and Rehabilitation No information reported by 31st December 1993.

SUPPLY REDUCTION ACTIVITIES

Arrests, Convictions and types of Offences No information reported by 31st December 1993.
Seizures: In 1991, almost 10 kgs of cannabis resin, 0.902 of heroin and 4,906 units of stimulants were seized (other 1991).
Supply sources of drugs: No info reported by Decmber 1993.

References and Notes
U.N., 1991.                 Replies to the UNDCP Annual Reports Questionnaire. 
Other 1991.                 Obtained from one or more seizure reports provided by the Government or from other official sources for the year 1991.
* The Legal, Administrative and Other Action Taken to Implement the International Drug Control Treaties section was not available by 15th January 1994.