Drugs in the Global Village
Middle East Regional Report

National Strategies
                                                                       
BAHRAIN
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

EGYPT
A National Council for Drug Dependency was established, with representatives from a broad range of disciplines such as health, social, environment, religious, and youth affairs. The Council also has members from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior. The chief task of the council was to revise the existing narcotic law and enforce new amendments as applicable (Drug Information 1989).

IRAQ
The Iraqi National Committee for Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse is responsible for coordinating treatment programmes for drug dependent abusers.

IRAN
In 1989, the Anti- Narcotics Headquarters was formed under the direct supervision of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Headquarters is comprised of the Public Prosecutor and members of other concerned ministries and its' task is to maintain a coordinated effort on issues of security, judicature and policy making (Workshop 1993). Intensive measures in supply reduction have been taken including, the banning of all poppy and cannabis cultivation, strengthening the forces along the eastern border and evacuating local inhabitants that were collaborating with the smugglers. Along the eastern border, Iran has set up disciplinary outposts at 10 km intervals, and between every second outpost an observation tower has also been established (U.N. 1992, Country Statement 1992).

ISRAEL
In 1987, the government of Israel proposed the establishment of the Anti-Drug Authority (ADA). It was established by law in the end of 1988, under the direct responsibility of the Prime Minister. ADA's mandate includes formulating comprehensive nationwide policies in all the areas of the fight against drug abuse, promoting and expanding the network of intervention services and coordinating public awareness and prevention activities. All efforts of governmental, non-governmental and public agencies and institutions are joined in the campaign against drug abuse (CND 1992, U.N. 1992).  The Ministry of Education is in charge of prevention programmes at schools (U.N. 1992).

KUWAIT
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).

OMAN
There is coordination at the local level between the Ministry of Health and the Police Force of the Sultanate of Oman. There is also regional coordination in drug control between the states of the Gulf States Cooperation Council (CMO 1990).

PAKISTAN
The Narcotics Control division was set up by the government to serve policy, regulatory and administrative functions. It formulates policies on drug education, treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependent abusers (Workshop 1993). Legislation efforts include a complete ban on poppy cultivation and the introduction of severe legal sanctions for drug related offenses (NCP 1989).

QATAR
Coordination at the regional level is maintained between law enforcement agencies of the Gulf Cooperation Council States (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait) (CMO 1990). There is one legal regulation which prevents the promotion of drugs or encouragement of drug abuse by the media (CMO 1990).

SAUDI ARABIA
The National Committee for Narcotics Control was formed in 1985, with a mandate to inform the population on the dangers of drug abuse (CMO 1989).
The General Administration of Narcotics Control (GANC) organizes seminars, courses and lectures for all social groups. GANC also coordinates control measures relating to illicit drug abuse in the work place (CMO 1989). Drug traffickers and drug dealers are sentenced to the death penalty (U.N. 1988).

SYRIA