Pubdate: Thu, 10 Jul 2008
Source: Gulf Times (Qatar)
Copyright: Gulf Times Newspaper, 2008
Contact:  http://www.gulf-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3835

BOOK ON LAWS AGAINST USE OF NARCOTICS

A BOOK explaining the laws that are in force in Qatar against the use 
of narcotics and drugs, has been published in Arabic by prominent 
Qatari lawyer Yusuf Ahmed al-Zaman, according to a report published 
in a local Arabic daily.

The book ­ the first of its kind in the Gulf region ­ explains in 
detail the various laws applicable on drug offenders. It also 
provides a gleam of hope of being saved from the clutches of law for 
those offenders who of their own volition surrender to the 
authorities and abide the corrective measures prescribed to them.

Al-Zaman highlights the fact that the ultimate ruling on drug abusers 
and drug traffickers is either death punishment or life imprisonment 
in addition to a fine of QR500,000.

Explaining the reasons for the spread of the use of narcotics and 
drugs in Qatar and in the Gulf region in general, al-Zaman said in a 
statement to the daily that the majority of offenders are from the 
young generation. And the reason for their going astray is absence of 
parental control or disunity in the family and the lack of family 
bonding. The juvenile desire to get into a 'kick' or make quick money 
through illegal means may also be reasons for this phenomenon, he said.

On the historical background to the proliferation of drugs and 
narcotics, al-Zaman has mentioned in his book that drugs were in use 
in Latin America as early as 500BC and Red Indians chewed cocaine 
leaves while performing their religious rites.

In the Islamic world hashish smokers emerged as a militant group led 
by Hassan bin Sabah in the 11th century. They made use of hashish to 
create celestial visions. The English word "assassin" is derived from hashish.

Referring to world statistics on drug abuse al-Zaman said that drug 
addicts count for 8% of the world population.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart