Drugs in Saudi Arabia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Drugs in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example In regards to this, drug use is a serious offense in Saudi Arabia; the penalty is death. Drug traffickers found guilty are sentenced to death. The Saudi Arabia monarchy rates as one of the places with the strictest regulations on drugs in the world. The kingdom has a zero-tolerance, strict anti-drug policy that is initiated at all the transport entry systems into the country with state-of-the-art technology for detection (US Department of State). The monarch lists some of the prescription medication as illegal, thus visitors or passengers carrying such must have proper prescription papers from their doctors. Interestingly, some of the medications in the over-the-counter category fall under the controlled substances in the Saudi Arabia Kingdom. Over the past few years, the kingdom has been emphasizing its prohibition of drugs and substances considered to be against the Koran teachings through the creation of more regulations and policy to control drugs. The airports in the kingdom conduct thorough passenger searches, even the transiting passengers. Those found with controlled substances and drugs are subjected to trials under the Islamic laws (US Department of State, 2011). The introduction of the death penalty for drug trafficking offenses was in March 1987 under King Fahd. The Council of Senior Ulama (religious scholars responsible for the interpretation of Islamic laws) had presented religious edict (fatwa) No. 138 that contained the penalty proposal. The edict was advocating for a death penalty for individuals found guilty of receiving or smuggling â€Å"drugs† into the kingdom, with the same penalty for recidivist distribution charges. The edict became law and took effect immediately. According to Amnesty Intern ational records, the first execution took place in July 1987, which saw the beheading of Falin bin Kami al-Makati.