August 5, 2025 |Dubai, UAE – The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, established the National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE on August 3. He appointed Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan as the Chairman to lead the new committee.
Mandates Of The National Anti-Narcotics Authority
The National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE will act as a new independent federal entity under the UAE cabinet, where it will also replace the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, which was part of the Ministry of Interior.
As per the decree-law, the National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE will have certain key mandates which are listed below:
- The authority will be formulating and advancing policies, strategies, and legislation to address narcotics issues and related crimes.
- It will also combat drug trafficking by tracking and dismantling smuggling and distribution networks with competent authorities.
- It will be responsible for overseeing the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, conducting studies on addiction, and disseminating research.
- The National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE will also propose and establish regulations for handling chemical precursors used for non-medical purposes.
- It is also responsible for coordinating with entities to monitor medical and pharmaceutical facilities against illegal drug sales.
- The authority will be managing a national platform to track narcotic and psychotropic substances with relevant authorities.
- It shall also collaborate with countries and international organisations to exchange data on drug smuggling networks.
ISAM Acknowledges UAE’s Narcotic Combat Efforts
The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) praised the establishment of the National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE by the President, mentioning it as an important and effective way to enhance the UAE’s quality of efforts in combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the attempts to eliminate them right from their roots.
Dr Hamad Al Ghafri, President of ISAM and Board member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASMA) said, “These efforts will support community-based prevention initiatives, establish a unified national monitoring system, and promote international collaboration in training and capacity-building. These pillars are central to achieving an integrated approach that combines preventive, security and therapeutic dimensions to effectively tackle all facets of the drug issue,” he added.
Dr Al Ghafri also reaffirmed ISAM’s commitment to supporting all initiatives and programmes related to combating narcotics and psychotropic substances.
During last year, the Ministry of Interior revealed that they had seized approximately 12,340 kilograms of narcotics and psychotropic drugs in 2024, the authority revealed on Thursday. A video on Instagram said that they recorded 9,774 reports related to drug crimes in 2024, and apprehended 13,513 suspects. The video was posted on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is observed annually on June 26, 2024.
Resident’s Part In Narcotic Reduction
UAE residents can complement the efforts of the National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE at a ground level in simple ways. Families should be treated as the first line of defence for addiction prevention. Educating children at an early age about drugs and having a safe and open space for conversations while fostering strong family bonds is essential. The citizens are urged to actively participate in awareness campaigns and volunteer with local organisations.
The National Anti-Narcotics Authority in UAE is encouraging citizens to anonymously report suspicious activity through confidential support channels. Citizens can also play an important role by reducing the stigma for the recovering addicts and helping them to begin afresh with vocational opportunities and career support. The UAE also encourages seeking voluntary drug treatment. The National Rehabilitation Center (NRC) in Abu Dhabi allows first-time offenders to seek treatment without the fear of facing criminal prosecution to allow people to get help for their conditions without any fear or hesitation.
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