Analytical chemistry is one of the fundamental branches of chemistry, concerned with developing and applying scientific methods to determine the components of chemical substances, both qualitatively and quantitatively. This science has gained increasing importance in recent decades due to the growing health and security challenges associated with the proliferation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This has made analytical chemistry a pivotal tool in detecting, diagnosing, and combating their illicit trafficking. Analytical chemistry plays a major role in analyzing drugs in various samples, such as blood, urine, saliva, hair, as well as in seized samples like pills, powders, or solutions. The detection process typically begins with a sample preparation stage, which aims to isolate the drug or its metabolites from other complex components in the biological matrix, using techniques like solvent extraction or solid-phase extraction (SPE). Analytical laboratories rely on a wide range of advanced techniques for drug detection, with chromatography being among the most important. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is considered the gold standard in drug analysis, providing high sensitivity and accuracy in identifying compounds even at very low concentrations. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its coupling with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are used to analyze non-volatile or thermally sensitive compounds, such as certain pharmaceutical narcotics and novel psychoactive substances. Alongside separation methods, spectroscopic techniques play an important role in preliminary screening and confirmatory identification of drugs. These techniques include Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), used to determine the molecular fingerprint of a substance, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), used in some rapid tests. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) has also contributed to the precise identification of the structural composition of new or adulterated drugs. The role of analytical chemistry is not limited to detecting traditional drugs but extends to include novel psychoactive substances (NPS), which are often of unknown and rapidly changing composition. Here, the role of advanced analysis becomes prominent in determining molecular formulas and studying metabolites, helping health and security authorities update lists of banned substances and keep pace with the continuous evolution in this field. In forensics, the results of chemical analyses are reliable scientific evidence used in courts to prove drug use, possession, or trafficking. This requires strict adherence to quality and performance control standards, such as the use of reference materials, procedure documentation, and method validation according to international standards. In conclusion, analytical chemistry represents the cornerstone of drug detection systems, providing precise and reliable tools that contribute to protecting public health, supporting criminal justice, and combating the scourge of drugs at local and global levels. With the continuous development of analytical techniques, the role of this science is expected to become increasingly important in facing future challenges related to narcotics and psychotropic substances. Al-Mustaqbal University Ranked First Among Private Universities in Iraq