Addicts are treated, not jailed, in Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has confirmed its commitment to all international conventions to combat the use and distribution of drugs, treatment of addicts, and urged for greater cooperation to fight this scourge.
This was the focus of a speech delivered by Gen. Ahmad Al-Zahrani, head of the Interior Ministry’s anti-drug unit, at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in New York.
He said the drug problem affects every country and more must be done to help counter this with better coordination among states. He said the Kingdom has done a great deal to achieve this goal, including by sharing information with other countries and multinational agencies.
He said the country was also committed to treating addicts, not jailing them. “They deserve treatment and care to become active members of society. We’ve established 10 specialized hospitals for addiction and mental health rehabilitation.” The private sector has contributed with eight national programs, he said.
Al-Zahrani said there was also action being taken on the financial front. “In 2003 the Kingdom enacted anti-money laundering laws that criminalize the laundering of money derived from drug trafficking in all its forms.”
He said the Kingdom has also established control over industries producing chemicals that might be addictive.