Is Xanax (Alprazolam) legal in Suriname?

Legal status

Illegal. Alprazolam is named on List II to the Wet verdovende middelen, S.B. 1998 no. 14, as amended by S.B. 2002 no. 68, which repealed the Opiumwet of 1955 (G.B. 1955 no. 91), as Alprazolam in List II onderdeel A, the 1971 Schedule IV group. Possession and dealing carry up to thirteen years under article 11 lid 3. Import, export and transit carry life imprisonment under article 11 lid 1.

Consequences if caught

Alprazolam appears on List II to the Wet verdovende middelen as Alprazolam, in List II onderdeel A, the 1971 Schedule IV group. Article 4 lid 1 forbids importing, exporting and transit (A), preparing, processing, working, selling, delivering, supplying and transporting (B), possessing, having present and using (C), and manufacturing (D). Article 11 lid 1 reaches article 4 lid 1 under A alone, so importing, exporting or moving it through Suriname carries life imprisonment or up to twenty years and a fine of up to five hundred million gulden. Article 11 lid 3 punishes an intentional breach of article 3 lid 1 under C, and of article 4 lid 1 under B, C and D, with up to thirteen years and a fine of up to two hundred million gulden. Where the same acts are committed otherwise than intentionally, article 11 lid 2 gives up to nine years and article 11 lid 4 up to seven years. Article 12 punishes preparatory acts and conspiracy with up to eleven years. The act sets no personal use tier, no quantity threshold and no tolerance provision. Nothing in it corresponds to the Dutch small quantity rules.

If prescribed or medical

There is a lawful prescription route. Article 5 lid 1 permits prescribing any substance covered by articles 3 and 4 on a recept that meets the requirements set by Staatsbesluit. Article 7 lid 2 disapplies the dealing and possession prohibitions for established pharmacists, dispensing physicians and veterinarians handling the substance for a medical purpose. Article 7 lid 3 exempts a person carrying the quantity they need for their own medical use, lawfully obtained. Import and export of a prescribed quantity remain governed by article 6, which requires the permission of the Minister approved by the Procureur Generaal.

Documentation

Carry any controlled medicine in its original packaging with the prescription that authorised it. Article 7 lid 3 exempts a person who can show they need the substance, in the quantity found, for the practice of medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, or for their own medical use (eigen geneeskundig gebruik), and that they obtained it lawfully. That exemption covers possession and transport and it does not cover use of the substance where article 7 lid 4 applies. Article 5 lid 3 makes presenting a false or forged prescription an offence in itself. The text relied on is the consolidation to S.B. 2002 no. 68. A later amendment, S.B. 2023 no. 137 (Wet Industriele Hennepteelt), amends this act and is not incorporated in it.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Suriname’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.