Al-Yousef: Unconditional Amir's support for Interior Ministry personnel
- The absolute ruler’s support and follow-up serve as a motivation to double the Interior Ministry’s efforts in confronting drugs with firmness.
- “Let us help each other... I am a father, I have sons and grandchildren, and we do not want our children or grandchildren to be victims of this scourge.”
- The new law has contributed to strengthening deterrence and has become a source of fear for traffickers.
- The seized drugs were ready for marketing... and the suspect stopped because he was “afraid.”
- “Whoever proves his recovery may be covered by a gracious Amir’s pardon before the end of his prison term... provided that recovery is proven.”
- The campaign is the fruit of government and community cooperation... and a sincere national message that the children of Kuwait are a trust.
A major security achievement, reflecting the vigilance and high readiness of the Ministry of Interior’s personnel in confronting the scourge of drugs, materialized in the thwarting of the largest drug seizure in the country’s history. This serves as a new confirmation of the effectiveness of security efforts that integrate with the deterrence power enhanced by the new Anti-Drug Law.
This achievement coincides with the conclusion of the national awareness campaign “A Nation That Protects You,” which has entrenched the concept of community partnership in drug prevention and affirmed that protecting children and society is a responsibility requiring the integrated roles of state institutions, families, and the community.
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Youssef Al-Saud Al-Sabah, announced the thwarting of the largest drug seizure in the country’s history, involving approximately five tons of raw “Lirica” powder and nearly four million capsules ready for sale, with an estimated total market value of around 150 million dinars, equivalent to approximately $485.9 million.
This was stated in a speech delivered by Sheikh Fahad Al-Youssef on Wednesday, during his patronage and attendance at the closing ceremony of the comprehensive national media awareness campaign for drug prevention, “A Nation That Protects You,” hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs at the Four Seasons Hotel, with the participation of various government, civil, and private entities.
Al-Youssef said that the seizure, which took place on Tuesday, also included a fully integrated factory for producing the psychoactive substance “Lirica,” along with equipment for filling and dividing capsules. He emphasized that this reflects the scale of the threat thwarted by the vigilance of drug control officers and the security efforts undertaken to confront this scourge.
He clarified that the full details of the seizure would be announced, noting that what was achieved came by the grace of God Almighty, followed by the efforts of the government and the issuance of the new Drug Law, which strengthened the anti-drug system and deterred traffickers.
Al-Youssef affirmed that the new Drug Law has contributed to enhancing deterrence and has become a source of fear for drug traffickers, making them think twice before attempting to harm any citizen or resident on Kuwaiti soil.
He revealed that the quantity of seized drugs was ready for marketing, and that he personally asked the suspect why he had not started distributing them. The suspect replied, “I was afraid.” Al-Youssef noted that the suspect had been engaged in this activity for eight years but stopped after the issuance of the new Drug Law, fearing arrest and falling under the law’s provisions.
He said the new law “made people think a million times” before attempting to harm anyone living on Kuwaiti soil, whether a citizen or a resident, pointing out that the enactment of the legislation came by the grace of God Almighty, followed by the government’s efforts.
Al-Youssef stated that the “A Nation That Protects You” campaign was not merely an awareness activity, but a sincere national message with the title that the children of Kuwait are a trust and their protection is everyone’s responsibility. He explained that the danger of drugs is not limited to a specific individual, but threatens the family, society, and the future of the nation.
He emphasized that combating drugs is a top priority for the Ministry of Interior, which continues to confront smugglers and traffickers, tighten control and enforcement measures, and eliminate the sources of this scourge, alongside enhancing prevention and awareness programs. This approach is rooted in the conviction that protecting children begins before drugs reach them.
He stressed the importance of partnership and coordination among all relevant entities, highlighting the pivotal role of the Ministry of Health in treating and rehabilitating individuals recovering from addiction, and the contribution of the Ministry of Social Affairs in supporting families, raising awareness among parents, and strengthening social protection, alongside the efforts of other government and civil society institutions.
He praised the role of the private sector and companies in supporting the state’s efforts to combat the drug scourge and contribute to treating addicts, through participation in building specialized centers for their treatment and rehabilitation.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef clarified that the confrontation is not limited to seizing narcotics and pursuing their smugglers and traffickers, but also encompasses treatment and rehabilitation as an essential component. He affirmed that anyone who falls into addiction deserves a genuine opportunity to return to their life, family, and community.
He noted that a fully equipped wing has been designated for the treatment and rehabilitation of female addicts, representing one of the most advanced facilities providing necessary care using modern therapeutic and rehabilitative methods. Meanwhile, other comprehensive and specialized sites are currently being prepared for the treatment and rehabilitation of male addicts, thereby strengthening the treatment system and expanding its capacity to accommodate cases.
He explained that the objective extends beyond preventing drugs from reaching members of society; it also includes saving those who have fallen victim to addiction and helping them recover and return to society as healthy, productive individuals.
He affirmed that addiction cases are treated with complete confidentiality, without disclosing the names of those seeking treatment or registering cases against them. He called on families to cooperate with the relevant authorities and not hesitate to seek help to protect their children.
He stated that the state has provided treatment pathways that ensure confidentiality and privacy, and that, in accordance with legal procedures and regulations, applying for treatment does not result in a criminal record for the user.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior said that anyone among inmates of correctional facilities who proves recovery from this scourge may be included in a generous Amir’s pardon before the completion of their sentence, provided that recovery is verified.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef urged parents to take the initiative and not hesitate to seek help and treatment when needed, noting that dealing with addicts and cooperating with families is done with complete confidentiality. The names of users will not be disclosed, nor will cases be registered against them if their families report them in accordance with legal regulations.
He said, “This is a personal appeal from me as a father who has children and grandchildren. Let us support each other. We do not want our children or grandchildren to be destroyed by this scourge, which is a disease, and every disease has a cure.”
Regarding statistics on drugs, including the decline in quantities of trafficking, dealing, and consumption, as well as family cooperation in reporting addicted children, Al-Yousef praised the efforts of Ministry of Interior personnel, stating, “My brothers, or rather my sons, in the Ministry of Interior work around the clock.”
He affirmed that the achievements made by Interior Ministry personnel in confronting the drug scourge are due to the unwavering support and persistent follow-up of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He emphasized that His Highness’s continuous support and constant encouragement serve as a motivation for the ministry’s staff to double their efforts and fulfill their duty in protecting the country and safeguarding its security and stability.
He added that His Highness closely monitors the Ministry of Interior’s work, from minor to major matters, providing support and encouragement in all areas requiring the ministry’s attention.
Al-Yousef expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs, headed by Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, for its sponsorship of the campaign from its launch to its conclusion, and for the contributions it made in collaboration with the Ministries of Interior, Health, and Justice to support families of drug users and assist them in treating their children.
He emphasized that the coordinated governmental efforts to combat drugs, with the campaign organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs from its inception to its end, had a strong impact in supporting the Ministry of Interior and helping families address their children’s issues before the problem escalated.
Regarding international coordination in confronting drug abuse, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef noted that Kuwait enjoys extensive cooperation with several countries in this field, given that this scourge is transnational and affects various nations.
In response to journalists’ questions about the new media law and illegal residents (stateless persons), Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef stated that “everything has its time,” clarifying that laws that are ready will be issued, but preparing, finalizing, and promulgating legislation is “not such an easy task.”
He added that the law concerning illegal residents will be issued once it is completed, affirming that work on it is proceeding at full speed.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef affirmed that the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with all state institutions, will continue its efforts with firmness to confront the drug scourge, pursue smugglers and traffickers, eliminate its sources, and raise awareness of its dangers. He stressed that combating it is a shared national responsibility aimed at protecting children and safeguarding Kuwait’s security and stability.
Al-Yousef emphasized that Kuwait, through its various governmental institutions and the private sector, is working with a team spirit to eradicate the drug scourge, noting that the coming phase will witness increased cooperation and joint efforts to confront it, and that the success of the “A Nation That Protects You” campaign resulted from the coordinated efforts of various state entities.
