UN: Iraq is catching a positive development in combating drugs

INA - BAGHDAD

The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - UNODC in Iraq, Ali Al-Barir, praised the parliamentary anti-drug committee on Monday, indicating that Iraq is witnessing a positive development in combating drugs.

"The idea of establishing a parliamentary committee dedicated to combating drugs is an unprecedented development in the region. Iraq is taking positive steps in this field," Al-Barir told the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

He pointed out that "the current law is good in terms of dealing with addicts or patients. There is a trend in the Iraqi state to enhance the concept that the addict is a patient who needs treatment, which is a positive development," stressing that "the issue of amending the law remains sovereign and is left to the Parliament to determine the date and method of its legislation."

Al-Barir talked about the permissible quantity of narcotic substances, saying: “The standards differ from one country to another, as some substances such as psychotropic substances and painkillers are considered within medical prescriptions within certain limits while exceeding these limits is punishable by law.”

"There are approved international tables that specify the maximum permissible percentages, and they are approved by the National Committee or the Supreme Authority for Combating Narcotics, in cooperation with the relevant ministries,” he added.