Brunei's Strict Anti-Drug Measures: A Global Example?

Brunei has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, and drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances carry a mandatory death penalty. Cannabis is the second most prominent drug in the country, and its usage has been declining since 2017-2018. The country has strict laws against drug abuse, with the highest sentence for cannabis possession and trafficking being 30 years imprisonment and 15 whips, and the lowest being 20 years and 15 whips. The country's Narcotics Control Bureau has created multiple divisions to aid in drug prevention and rehabilitation, and drug education is compulsory in higher-education induction periods.

Cannabis is illegal in Brunei

The country's legislation is based on its Sharia-Islamic beliefs and is controlled by its sultan, who has the authority to construct the country's laws to maintain Islamic morals within Brunei. In 1996, the sultan announced his plans to implement Islamic Sharia laws to structure the court system, forming the foundation of the Islamic Criminal Law Act. He identified drugs as a danger to Brunei's society, comparing them to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The current legislation regarding narcotics in Brunei is the Misuse of Drugs Act, which was last edited in 2013. This Act identifies two forms of cannabis: cannabis (containing cannabis resin) and isolated cannabis resin. Cannabis was initially classified as a B class drug but was later promoted to an A class drug in the 2013 amendment.

The possession and use of cannabis and its resin are strictly prohibited in Brunei, with maximum sentences of 10 years and/or a USD$20,000 fine. The highest sentence for cannabis trafficking is 30 years imprisonment and 15 whips with a cane, while the lowest sentence is 20 years imprisonment and 15 whips.

In addition to the legal consequences, Brunei has also implemented preventive measures and rehabilitation programs to address drug abuse. The country's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has created multiple divisions focused on drug education, prevention, and rehabilitation. These programs aim to reduce drug use, increase awareness, and provide support for drug addicts.

The debate around the legality of cannabis exists within the Islamic community as well. While the Quran does not explicitly ban the use of cannabis, it prohibits praying while intoxicated. This ongoing discussion adds another layer to the complex issue of cannabis legality in Brunei.

Methamphetamine is the most prevalent drug in Brunei

Methamphetamine is highly addictive and can cause agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, heightened respiration and body temperature, and anxiety. High doses of the drug can lead to convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke, or even death. Its overdose effects include death from stroke, heart attack, or multiple organ failure caused by overheating.

In 2009, there were 556 drug-related arrests in Brunei, of which 75% were attributed to amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), including methamphetamine. This trend continued in 2018, with methamphetamine remaining the most prevalent drug in the country. The source of crystal methamphetamine in Brunei is believed to be the Philippines, from where it is shipped to Malaysia and then trafficked into Brunei.

Brunei has taken a stringent approach to drug control, with the country's legislation based on its Sharia-Islamic beliefs. Drug-related offences, including the possession and use of methamphetamine, can carry severe penalties, including caning and the death sentence. The country's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has implemented various measures to combat drug abuse, including creating divisions focused on drug education, prevention, and rehabilitation.

Drug-related arrests increased by 33% from 2006 to 2007

Drug-related arrests in Brunei increased by 33% from 2006 to 2007, with a total of 732 arrests in 2007. This issue was a cause for concern for the Sultan of Brunei, who addressed it during the country's 24th Independence Day celebration, labelling it a "tragedy". The rise in drug-related arrests was predominantly among Bruneian youth.

In response to the growing drug problem, the Minister of Finance provided additional funding to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to combat the issue. The NCB is responsible for drug prevention and rehabilitation in Brunei. With the additional funding, the NCB added six new members to their team, bringing the total number of personnel to 152, with plans to further expand in subsequent years.

The Sultan of Brunei, who has the authority to construct the country's laws, has taken a strong stance against drug use. In 1996, he announced that Islamic Sharia laws would form the foundation of the country's court system, leading to the Islamic Criminal Law Act. The Sultan identified drugs as a significant threat to Bruneian society, comparing it to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The increase in drug-related arrests led to heightened press coverage on drug misuse, and Brunei collaborated with Malaysia to create anti-drug agreements and joint initiatives to tackle the issue. The NCB implemented modules for drug prevention within the education system and held public conferences to raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.

Brunei has strict laws and penalties for drug-related offences, including cannabis use. Cannabis is the second most prominent drug in Brunei, after methamphetamine. Possession and use of cannabis can result in harsh punishments, including caning and the death penalty.

The death penalty for drug crimes

The Legal Landscape:

Brunei's laws are constructed by the Sultan, aligning with the country's Islamic values and Malaysian culture. The Misuse of Drugs Act serves as the primary legislation addressing drug-related crimes. This Act has undergone amendments, with cannabis being upgraded from a B class to an A class drug in 2013. Possession and use of cannabis carry severe penalties, including fines of up to USD$20,000 and prison sentences of up to 10 years.

Death Penalty Provisions:

Brunei's death penalty provisions for drug crimes are strict and have been a subject of international scrutiny. The country's laws have imposed the death penalty for drug-related offences, including cannabis-related crimes. In 2002, changes to the Drug Trafficking Act further intensified these penalties, allowing for the death penalty to be imposed for crimes involving smaller drug quantities.

International Comparisons:

Brunei is not an outlier in imposing capital punishment for drug crimes. Amnesty International reports that as of 2015, over 30 countries worldwide maintained the death penalty for drug offences, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Iran, where certain drug crimes carry mandatory death sentences. The report also highlights the case of Shahrul Izani, who faced the death penalty in Malaysia for possessing 622g of cannabis.

Recent Developments:

In recent years, Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has played a pivotal role in combating drug crimes. They have implemented measures such as creating anti-drug divisions, collaborating with neighbouring countries, and introducing drug prevention modules in the education system.

In 2020, a family-run drug business faced charges, with six members of the family facing the death penalty under the Misuse of Drugs Act. While Brunei's last execution occurred in 1957, the country has continued to sentence individuals to death, with the most recent known death sentence handed down in 2017.

Brunei's drug prevention and rehabilitation programs

Drug Prevention

The Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has created divisions to aid in drug prevention, with a focus on reducing drug use and increasing awareness, especially among the youth. School-based drug education programs are implemented for children between the ages of 8 and 13, incorporating anti-drug games, activities, and group discussions. These programs are compulsory during higher-education induction periods.

The NCB also employs three general strategies for drug prevention:

• Knowledge on drugs and their laws: This includes discussions, brochures, posters, and social media campaigns to disseminate a negative message towards drugs and the consequences of their use.
• Psycho-social maintenance: This approach helps individuals manage peer pressure, stress, and independence, and develop resilience and opinion expression.
• Family dynamic: This strategy aims to provide families with the framework to prevent drug use and offer rehabilitation techniques for affected members.

Rehabilitation

Brunei has a residential drug treatment and rehabilitation center called Rumah Al-Islah, operated by the Prisons Department of Brunei. The center specializes in a treatment that emphasizes peer, family, and religious support for rehabilitation. The program includes medical detox, physical exercise, sports, individual and group counseling, vocational training, moral and religious rehabilitation, and civic rehabilitation. Admission to Al-Islah can be voluntary or court-ordered.

Al-Islah operates on the concept of a "therapeutic community," where drug abusers receive daily doses of moral support and encouragement to change their habits. This approach is participative and group-based, aiming to create a community of support during treatment.

In addition to Al-Islah, DARA Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Thailand is an option for individuals in Brunei seeking treatment. DARA offers luxury accommodations, intensive therapy, and a serene setting to aid in recovery.

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