Analysis and Pathology of Policies for Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances under Iranian Law

Abstract

The present study analyzes and critically examines policies for combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under Iranian law and seeks to assess the effectiveness of these policies in light of domestic laws and regulations, criminological developments, and contemporary standards of criminal policy. The central research question is whether the existing legislative and executive framework—particularly the Anti-Narcotics Law and its subsequent amendments—has succeeded in establishing an appropriate balance among security-oriented, punitive, therapeutic, and public health objectives. The study employs a descriptive-analytical method based on an examination of legal documents, judicial practices, and scholarly sources. The findings indicate that although Iran’s legal system in this field encompasses a broad range of special regulations, general policies, and executive mechanisms, it continues to face challenges such as legislative inflation, ambiguity in the definition of criminal offenses, excessive penal severity, inadequate differentiation between drug users and traffickers, and an inability to respond promptly to newly emerging psychotropic substances. Moreover, the predominance of punitive and law-enforcement approaches over treatment-oriented strategies has caused certain anti-drug policies, rather than sustainably reducing crime and harm, to contribute to increased penal congestion, the perpetuation of cycles of drug use, and the intensification of social and public health consequences. Accordingly, the study concludes that restructuring the Anti-Narcotics Law, updating the list of prohibited substances, strengthening non-penal measures, partially decriminalizing drug use, and prioritizing treatment and social reintegration could facilitate the development of a more balanced and effective criminal policy in this field.