1. The Authority is the principal entity concerned with combating narcotics in the State, and, for that purpose, it may exercise the following competences and powers: a. Combat narcotics trafficking, track and apprehend narcotics smuggling and distribution networks, and refer involved persons to the competent judicial authorities, in coordination with the Competent Authorities and in accordance with the legislation in force in the State. b. Prepare and develop policies, strategies, and legislation related to narcotics and associated crime patterns and methods of combating them, and submit them to the Cabinet for approval in accordance with applicable legislation in the State. c. Coordinate with Concerned Authorities to monitor, inspect, and track persons, goods, and means of transport to combat the entry or exit of narcotics from the State, in accordance with the legislation in force. d. Monitor and track activities and operations suspected of being related to narcotics smuggling or trafficking, in coordination with the Competent Authorities. e. Propose and prepare controls and conditions for the circulation of chemical precursors used for non-medical purposes, and the procedures for obtaining authorization, methods for circulation and record-keeping, and customs clearance procedures related to such substances and chemical precursors, in coordination with Concerned Authorities, and submit them to the Cabinet for approval. f. Issue authorizations to bring in, import, export, manufacture, extract, separate, produce, possess, distribute, use, or traffic in chemical precursors used for non-medical purposes, in coordination with Concerned Authorities. g. Coordinate with Concerned Authorities to oversee medical and pharmaceutical establishments to prevent the unlawful sale or dispensing of medicines or medical products containing narcotics or psychotropic substances. h. Manage a platform for tracking narcotics and psychotropic substances, in coordination with Concerned Authorities. i. Follow up on the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, in coordination with Concerned Authorities. j. Launch and organize awareness initiatives and campaigns related to combating narcotics and raise awareness of their harms and negative effects on individuals and society, in coordination with Concerned Authorities. k. Prepare and publish studies and research related to addiction and combating narcotics. l. Prepare studies on the impact of applying penalties related to possession, use, or trafficking of narcotics, and assess the need to tighten, mitigate, or replace such penalties with other measures, or to decriminalize certain uses of narcotics in light of these studies, and submit recommendations to the Cabinet. m. Hold conferences, seminars, and workshops related to the Authority’s scope of work, in coordination with the Concerned Authorities. n. Establish and organize a comprehensive database of information and data related to the Authority’s competences, in coordination with Concerned Authorities, and coordinate integration in the exchange of information and data. o. Coordinate with other States and international organizations for the exchange of information and expertise regarding narcotics smuggling operations and smuggling and trafficking networks, provided that such coordination is carried out with the Concerned Authorities and in line with the approved procedures in accordance with applicable legislation in the State. p. Propose accession to international treaties and agreements, and propose memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements with Gulf, regional, and international States, organizations, and bodies related to the Authority’s competences, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Concerned Authorities. q. Represent the State in regional and international organizations, exhibitions, and conferences in areas within the Authority’s competences, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. r. Any other competences conferred upon the Authority pursuant to the laws, regulations, or resolutions issued by the Cabinet. 2. The competences prescribed for the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this Decree by Law shall not prejudice the competences and powers of local government entities regarding combating crimes and narcotics and apprehending perpetrators, in accordance with applicable legislation in the State. 3. Subject to the provisions of Clause (2) of this Article, the competences prescribed for the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this Decree by Law shall not prejudice the powers of federal government entities regarding seizure of narcotics and apprehension of perpetrators of related crimes in cases of flagrante delicto and linkage to other crimes, in accordance with applicable legislation in the State.
Interpretation and application must be checked against the official text and current version.