From: Evolution of policy for the treatment of substance use disorders in Qatar
1977 | Bureau of Interpol and Drug (BID) established under the Criminal Investigation Department. |
1980s | BID became known as the Drug and Alcohol Combating Unit. |
1987 | Qatar enacted first law on Control and Regulation of Narcotic Drugs and Dangerous Psychotropic Substances. |
1991 | Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) established under the Ministry of Interior (MOI). DEA commence drug awareness and prevention activities. |
1999 | Permanent Committee for Drugs and Alcohol Affairs (PCDAA) established under the MOI. |
Early 2000 | Young locals using inhalants, heroin and stimulant use reached the attention of policy makers. |
2006 | Social Rehabilitation Centre was established by Law No 21 of 2006. |
2009 | Social Rehabilitation Centre commenced supporting people with drug problems and works collaboratively with the MOI. |
2012 | Supreme Council of Health’s Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) established with in-patient and out-patient facilities for people who use drugs. The TRC starts receiving referrals from concerned relatives of people who use drugs and the MOI. |
2013 | Qatar’s Third Human Development Report states that the country’s drug problem is relatively contained. |
2015 | Qatar’s Fourth Human Development Reports states that addiction is a health and social challenge and a human rights issue. |
2015 | The Emiri Decision No (17) of 2015 paved the way to establish the Naufar Center as a state-of-the-art resort type facility to treat patients with substance use disorders. It includes inpatient, outpatient and residential rehabilitation services. |
2015 | The Emiri Decision No (17) of 2015 defines addiction as a disease and places the ownership of treatment for substance use disorders within Naufar Center. |
2017 | Qatar Institute of Health Matrix and Evaluation states that drug use disorders have causes significant disability within a ten-year period. |
2018 | The Qatar Second National Development Strategy includes drug control as an outcome. |
2019 | Cabinet approved the decision to establish a Permanent Committee for Addiction Treatment headed by the Minister of Public Health. |