MAKKAH, 31 August 2007 — Starting off as recreational drug users and then becoming hardened drug addicts, three men told Arab News how they began using drugs “for fun” and then became drug dealers to fund their habit.

Jibreel (not his real name) began taking soft drugs at the age of 12. “I initially started off with Captagon pills, which are locally known as Abu Malaf. Friends told me that these pills work like magic and would give me strength,” he said. Jibreel was handed a free pill to try and was soon hooked.

Initially taking a pill a day, he ended up having three a day. Eleven years later, he moved on to heroin. “I was with some friends. One said he had got hold of a new type of drug, which was better than Captagon. He took out some powder, which we all tried,” said Jibreel, adding that having tried heroin he entered “a new stage” in his life.

“I had to sell drugs to fund my habit. Heroin became everything dear to me in my life. I had to sell in order to use it. A dealer said that if I served as a courier for heroin worth SR500 he would give me some for free. I used to spend my days on the streets looking for buyers,” said Jibreel. He spent time at Al-Amal Drug Rehabilitation Center in Jeddah on several occasions. Even though he underwent several programs, Jibreel was unable to quit his habit. He only managed to quit after a “divine experience.”

“I was with a friend. We were taking drugs near a graveyard. My friend was fed up and he spontaneously said, ‘Oh Allah, I am tired of my habit. Either you forgive me or put me in this graveyard.’ The next day he died. I was shocked,” he said.

A short time later, Jibreel was arrested by the Anti-Drugs Department and admitted at Al-Amal. This was a turning point in his life. Shocked by the manner in which his friend died, Jibreel was injected with an impetus to quit drugs. Over time he quit using drugs and has since been involved in various drug awareness campaigns across the Kingdom. Having turned over a new leaf in his life, Jibreel recently memorized the Qur’an.

Mazin, a Saudi in his 60s, said he started taking drugs at the age of 17. Like Jibreel he started with Captagon. “At the time I was working as a coach driver. Another driver gave me Captagon pill and said this would help me stay awake for two days without feeling tired. He handed it to me without charge. However, I got hooked and ended up buying the pill after that,” said Mazin.

The former coach driver said he has tried out several types of drugs and found heroin the most enjoyable. “I started selling drugs to feed my habit. I couldn’t afford buying it everyday. I used to sell Captagon on the streets. Once a man came and asked me about a well-known drug dealer. I told him I could provide him with whatever he wanted and not to go to the other guy. However, he ignored me,” said Mazin.

Later it turned out that the man was an undercover official from the Anti-Drugs Department. “It shook me up a bit. I was scared and decided to quit. My friends never gave up on me. They kept pestering me to give up and my family took me to a rehabilitation center. I finally gave up,” he said.

Mazin is now a popular figure. He also helps the Anti-Drugs Department in drug awareness campaigns.

Al-Mukhal said he began using drugs at the age of 20. “I was with some friends at a wedding when someone gave me some hashish in a roll-up. I was soon hooked and drugs became my entire life. That’s all I used to think of,” he said.

“My father was sick and I was with him at hospital. Sometimes I used to leave his bedside to take drugs. I even left his dead body just to smoke drugs and welcomed people at his funeral while high,” said Al-Mukhal, adding that he used to steal money and jewelry from his family to fund his habit. When he could not steal anymore, Al-Mukhal resorted to selling drugs and remained a drug addict for 27 years.

“I once got caught and was sent to a rehabilitation center. This was a turning point in my life. They helped me quit and here I am. I don’t want anyone to go through what I have experienced,” he said.