The Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law (نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية) governs every drug case in Saudi Arabia: which acts are crimes, who is punished, and when a drug user is treated as a patient rather than a criminal. It was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/39) dated 1426/7/8H and is supplemented by its Implementing Regulations and the schedules of narcotic and psychotropic substances. This guide explains how the law is structured and its main principles. The penalties are covered in detail in our article on drug penalties in Saudi Arabia.
How the law is structured
| Part | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Definitions and schedules | What counts as a narcotic or psychotropic substance, according to the attached schedules and their updates |
| Prohibited acts | Smuggling, importing, exporting, producing, cultivating, dealing, possessing and using |
| Penalties | Graded by the act and its intent, most severe for smuggling and dealing, with aggravating and mitigating circumstances |
| Treatment and exemption | Provisions allowing a user to be treated instead of punished in specific cases |
| Procedures | Arrest, search, investigation and confiscation |
Use, possession and dealing: the difference
The law draws a fundamental line between someone who uses drugs or possesses them for personal use, and someone who possesses them with intent to deal or trade. Intent is inferred from the circumstances of the case: the quantity, how it was packaged, whether scales or cash were found, and messages. This is why the core of a defence is often to show that possession was not for dealing.
Treatment instead of punishment
One of the law's principles is that a user who comes forward voluntarily to seek treatment before being caught is treated without public criminal proceedings being brought, subject to the legal conditions. This is one of the most important things a user's family should know before a problem arises.
Arrest and search procedures
This law and the Law of Criminal Procedure set out how arrest, search and sampling must be carried out. Any material breach of these procedures can affect the validity of the evidence, and this is one of the most important lines of defence. Read the Law of Criminal Procedure explained.
Investigations and trials are conducted in Arabic. A foreign national who does not speak Arabic should ask for an interpreter and should not sign a statement they do not understand.
A relative arrested in a drug case? First steps
- Find out the authority, the place of detention and the exact charge (use, possession or dealing); the route and penalty differ greatly.
- Get a lawyer early: the accused may have a lawyer at the investigation stage.
- Do not make statements on their behalf or message them about the case; it may be used in the file.
- Gather what helps: earlier treatment reports, evidence of good conduct, anything about how the arrest and search were done.
- Ask about treatment: the law allows treatment instead of punishment in set cases.
Frequently asked questions
Does a royal pardon cover drug cases?
It covers some of them, according to the conditions of each pardon order. Read royal pardons and drug cases.
Are prescription medicines covered by the law?
Some medicines are classified as psychotropic substances, and possessing them without a valid medical prescription may fall under the law. Always carry the prescription, especially when travelling.
What happens after a judgment in a drug case?
Read conditional release and when a criminal record is cleared.
A drug case involving you or a relative?
The Usus Law Firm team handles drug cases in complete confidence, from investigation through judgment and appeal, in Riyadh and Tabuk, and advises in English. Always check the current official text of the law and its schedules, as they are updated from time to time.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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