Parliament amendment drops criminal intent for 1st-time drug offenders

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The Lower House Wednesday approved a draft law amending the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law to drop criminal intent on first-time drug offenses. (Photo: Ameer Khalifa/Jordan News)
AMMAN — On Wednesday, the Lower House approved a draft law amending the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, according to Al-Ghad daily.

The Lower House agreed to amendments that include not charging with criminal intent those who use, smuggle, import, export, purchase, deliver, transport, produce, store, or cultivate narcotics, psychotropic substances, or plants from which narcotic substances are produced if they are first-time offenders.اضافة اعلان

In an interview with Jordan News, former director of the Anti-Narcotics Department, retired Maj. Gen. Tayel Al-Majali said that while punishments must act as a deterrent, “it is more important that first-time drug addicts receive treatment and are placed in temporary detention.”

Majali agreed with the Lower House’s decision, calling it “appropriate”, if combined with routine drug tests taken by the Anti-Narcotics Department.

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