“One of the recommendations is drug testing high school, university, and institution students, as well as governmental employees and security force members,” Najwa Kakayi, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) MP in the Iraqi parliament, told Rudaw on Sunday, adding that if one tests positive for narcotics, their family members should be tested as well.
The committee is temporarily formed to combat the spread of drug use in Iraq, and presented its report to the legislature on Saturday.
The report also suggests opening up rehabilitation centers for drug users, according to the KDP lawmaker, adding that they expect a vote to be held on sending the bill to the government within a week after making some adjustments.
The rate of drug addicts and dealers has been on alarming rise in Iraq in recent years, despite strict measures taken by the Iraqi government to curb the phenomenon.
At least 1,417 people were arrested on drug related charges and over 60 kilograms of narcotics were confiscated in January, according to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.
