Digital Drugs and the Challenge of Combating Them in Iraqi Criminal Legislation

Narcotic substances are no longer confined to the physical and traditional prohibited materials listed in the schedules of international conventions and treaties, and national anti-narcotics laws, whether natural or chemical. Modern technological advancements and the transformations they have wrought across all sectors – including criminal facets – have led to the emergence of a novel form of narcotic substance. Criminal organizations and cybercrime syndicates have shifted their focus towards designing a new type of drug in a digital format, termed "digital narcotic substances."These substances consist of a collection of audio files operating at different frequencies for each ear, necessitating the use of stereo headphones. They induce changes in brain electrical activity, stimulating it to emulate the alterations caused by genuine narcotic substances.Recent scientific evidence confirms that these materials cause addiction and inflict damage on brain neurons, mental development, and social aspects, akin to traditional narcotics. This form of addiction originates via websites that sell these substances at prices significantly lower than traditional drugs, with costs ranging from ($3 to $30 or more), varying according to the "dose, duration, and the desired sensation the user seeks to obtain."