Overview
- The decree sets minimum five-year prison terms and fines of at least AED 50,000 for pharmacies and physicians who unlawfully dispense or improperly prescribe controlled drugs, with such acts deemed facilitation.
- References to the Health and Interior ministries are replaced by the Emirates Drug Establishment and the National Anti-Narcotics Authority, formalizing their regulatory and enforcement roles.
- Federal and private providers are permitted to establish specialized addiction treatment and rehabilitation units, with operating rules to be issued by the Cabinet and scope for local facilities.
- Qualified health, laboratory, research and manufacturing entities may be licensed to possess and handle narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under oversight by competent authorities.
- Courts must order deportation of foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offenses after sentence completion, with exceptions for spouses or first-degree relatives of citizens or where removal would seriously harm family stability or necessary care.