KUWAIT CITY, Dec 14: From December 15, government entities may require applicants for public sector jobs to undergo testing for the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances without a prescription as part of the mandatory medical examinations. According to informed sources, this measure is in line with Article 66 of Decree-Law No. 159/2025 on combating narcotics and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trade, which comes into effect on December 15. The new law allows the competent appointing authority in each government entity to decide whether to include the drug test in appointment procedures for central government employment.
The requirement of physical fitness for public sector employment is outlined in Article 1 of the Civil Service Law. Meanwhile, termination of service for employees deemed medically unfit is stipulated in Article 32 of Law No. 15/1979 concerning the civil service. Similar provisions exist for security forces, including Articles 31 and 96 of Law No. 23/1968 on the Police Force System and Articles 32 and 99 of Law No. 32/1967 on the Kuwait Army.
Meeting the health fitness requirement for civil and military public service positions, which mandates that employees’ bodies be free of narcotic or psychotropic substances, is a condition for both initial appointment and continued employment. If an employee no longer meets this condition during service, the requirement is considered waived. The law further stipulates that the competent authority, or its authorized representative, in coordination with the ministry, may conduct periodic or random drug tests on employees during official working hours to detect the use of any narcotic substances or preparations without a prescription.