Al-Monitor- Iran�s new�law for combating drugs�will be implemented beginning Nov. 14. The law�� passed by the Reformist majority parliament and approved by the conservative Guardian Council�� is set to decrease the number of people executed in Iran, which leads�the world in executions on a per capita basis. Agencies in Iran responsible for combating drug smuggling,�however, have warned that the new law will increase drug use.


According to the law,�those convicted of drug smuggling will be sentenced to time in prison instead of the death penalty and will be ordered to pay fines. The law itself does not completely ban the death penalty. Those caught smuggling a large amount of�designated drugs�� for instance, 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) of heroin�� can still be sentenced to death. Drug-smuggling leaders, those who carry arms, financiers of drug smuggling and those who use children under the age of 18 will still be subject to the death penalty. Still, according to most observers,�the law will decrease the number of death penalties in Iran for drug-related offenses.

The Iran Drug Control Headquarters, which is tasked with drug addiction treatment, combating drug smuggling and preventing addiction, warned that the law will increase access and use of drugs in Iran. Parviz Afshar, spokesperson for the Drug Control Headquarters, said, �We believe that � for a country whose neighbor is the world�s largest producers of drugs [Afghanistan]�� completely�eliminating the death penalty�is not possible.�

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