PM Masrour Barzani lays foundation stone for new drug awareness, rehabilitation center in Erbil
The facility is being established through a joint initiative between the Barzani Charity Foundation and LDS organization.
Nov. 26, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - On Tuesday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid the foundation stone for a new drug awareness and rehabilitation center in Erbil.
The facility is being established through a joint initiative between the Barzani Charity Foundation and LDS organization.
This development comes as Iraq's parliament continues its efforts to strengthen drug control measures.
Madiha al-Maksusi, a member of the Iraqi Parliament's Legal Committee, had previously announced that the committee has spent several months working on amendments to Law No. 50 of 2017 concerning drug control.
One of the most significant proposed changes includes harsher penalties for drug traffickers and dealers, potentially extending sentences from life imprisonment to capital punishment, along with increased budget allocations for rehabilitation facilities.
"The amendment project is ready and faces no political opposition, as these substances have become a real threat to Iraqi families in general," al-Maksusi stated.
Article 40 of Law No. 50 (2017) emphasizes amnesty for users who voluntarily surrender themselves to rehabilitation institutions. These individuals are treated as patients and receive treatment for 90 to 180 days. However, if a patient fails to comply with the treatment schedule, the specialized court is notified for legal proceedings.
Drug trafficking continues to expand throughout Iraq, with weak government measures and insufficient legal frameworks contributing to increased crime rates and social problems.
Meanwhile, Kurdistan Region's security forces maintain vigilant operations against drug traffickers, who face prosecution upon arrest.
The Kurdistan Region has been increasingly focusing on combating drug trafficking and abuse, which has become a growing concern across Iraq and the broader Middle East region.
The establishment of this new rehabilitation center represents a significant step in the Kurdistan Regional Government's comprehensive strategy to address both the law enforcement and public health aspects of the drug crisis.
The Barzani Charity Foundation, known for its humanitarian work, has partnered with LDS to bring international expertise to this crucial initiative.