The Prosecution and Investigation Commission (PIC) investigated 19,729 drug-related cases, of which 66 percent were for possession of narcotics, 15 percent for trafficking and 10 percent related to Qat consumption.
The national strategy to combat drug addiction is focused on raising awareness about the dangers of drug addictions and instilling in addicts a genuine desire to save themselves.
According to an opinion poll by researchers at the Amal Complex for Mental Health, of 83 parents and other close relatives of addicts, 53 respondents advised their addicted children to go to rehabilitation centers, 21 simply discussed the issue, and nine did not know what to do.
However, there are many parents who do not know the right way to help rehabilitate children who are addicted to drugs.
A father said physical punishments and other threats did not help his 15-year-old son stop taking drugs. He did not know the importance of sending his son to a center specialized in treating addiction cases.
On the other hand, a mother said she discussed with her 19-year-old son the consequences of drug addiction, including the social stigma and negative impact on life, after she discovered he was addicted to hashish and antidepressants. Though her approach helped to an extent, the son did not kick his addiction. In fact she did not realize the need for him to seek professional help.
Director of Amal’s social service department Abdul Lateef Ahmad warned parents that they should be extremely careful when giving any monetary or moral support to addicted children. “Parents should realize that addiction is a disease that could be cured by putting the addict in a systematic treatment program at a mental hospital or any other specialized center,” he said.
