A UN Official Told NINA: Iraq Has Made Positive Strides In Combating Drugs And Crime, And We Support The New Amendment To The Law
Baghdad / NINA / -The United Nations commended the efforts of the Iraqi government in combating drugs and organized crime, confirming the achievement of significant positive steps in this regard.
The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iraq, Ali Farouk Al-Barir, stated in a statement to the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA), that "organized crime has many forms, including terrorism, drugs, money laundering, corruption, and human trafficking. Significant efforts are being made in Iraq, including the Ministry of Interior's decision to restructure its directorates for combating drugs and organized crime. These fruitful efforts have positively impacted Iraq's international ranking, which received an American award in 2024 for combating human trafficking."
The UNODC’s Senior Program Coordinator added, "Regarding the anti-drug file in Iraq, we see a significant increase in interception rates and confiscated quantities. Also, in the area of money laundering and terrorist financing, there are ongoing Iraqi efforts." He explained that "continued progress in these efforts will be more positive, and we are providing support in this area."
He continued, "The current law in force is good regarding dealing with sick or addicted individuals, but there is a trend within the Iraqi state to deepen the concept of the addict and consider them patients according to the new law, which is a good step." He explained that "preserving human rights through investigations in the field of anti-drug investigations and the enactment of important laws for delivery and monitoring operations are very important operational issues that must be subject to legal oversight."
Regarding the legally permissible drug use rates, he explained that "the legally permissible drug use rate varies from one country to another, as some psychotropic substances and painkillers are used as drugs, and there are countries that allow a maximum of 50 grams for some medications in a prescription. Some consider anything above that to be dangerous." The other quantity must be legally accounted for,” noting that “the schedules of permitted substances are studied and defined internationally, and are legally approved by the National Committee or the Supreme Authority for Combating Drugs and the relevant ministries, where the permitted percentage for each substance is determined.”/End
