Every now and then we read reports about security officials thwarting attempts to smuggle narcotics into the Kingdom. The trend shows that these substances are in demand here. The big question is: What measures are being taken to check this menace?
One is really surprised at the audacity of these drug traffickers. The world knows the strict punishments meted out to such people in Saudi Arabia and yet they make such attempts. Drug trafficking is punishable by death or at least life imprisonment. Before we move further, let us look back at the alcohol prohibition period in the United States.
Since the 1800s some people were trying to pass a law prohibiting the sale or consumption of alcohol in many different parts of America. State after state, the law was passed until it became a national act in 1920 when the 18th Amendment was passed. At that time thousands of agents were hired to enforce the law. However, in 1933 the prohibition ended when the 21st Amendment was passed legalizing the consumption of alcohol. The prohibition didn’t stop people from drinking but it boosted illegal production, transportation and distribution of alcohol and in the process there was an increase in organized crimes. During that time alcohol was given nicknames such as Tennessee Shoes for its bad smell. In other words, as long as there are consumers, there will be producers and suppliers. Just few days ago, the Saudi security forces foiled attempts to smuggle more than 22 million amphetamine tablets worth SR1 billion ($260m). Is this the biggest drug bust in the world? I really don’t know the answer to this question. But why do we witness such incidents in the Kingdom?
Saudi Arabia is a very huge country with borders stretching thousands of miles bordering eight countries. Saudi Arabia has one of the most stable economies in the region and its citizens always have enjoyed high incomes and this is what drug dealers usually look for. Just like the South American drug cartels whose eyes are always on the American payday.
The first step to check this menace is to thoroughly study the depth of all aspects of the problem. After that a comprehensive long-term national strategy is required because this problem cannot be eradicated overnight. We need a plan to reduce it by percentage each year and look for ways to know as to why the market for drugs is thriving in the Kingdom. Without a concrete plan it would be like mopping the floor every time water overflows from a bathtub. If one needs a permanent solution, the faucet has to be turned off.
In addition to that we must stop blaming others. It is true that there are people, countries and organizations that would like to harm the social fabric of the Saudi society but we must realize that drug trafficking is a real business for many around the globe.
In Afghanistan, the hard drugs’ market is almost $9 billion a year. That equals to almost the Jordanian national annual budget. So, it is business and if Saudi Arabia is a good market, they will continue to come over and try to cross our borders. Or, do they need to cross the Saudi borders? In the last mega drug bust, there were five Saudi nationals arrested during the operation. Drug trafficking shouldn’t be looked at as a foreign conspiracy because if we look at it from this perspective, then we will be providing the young drug addicts with an excuse who will end up blaming others. The Saudi drug enforcement agents are fully equipped to thwart any drug smuggling bid and they are very dedicated to their jobs but at the end of the day it is the duty of the family members to watch over their children’s behavior.
Staying up late for no reason and doing poorly at school are signs, which have to be watched carefully. Today’s children are different from the past. Their needs and behaviors are different due to the presence of many ways of communications and easy mode of transportations. At the end of the day, it is the individual who is behind the drug trafficking. If you don’t do drugs, then the smugglers will not try to sneak into your country and will look for other options.
Drugs don’t harm only the addict but affects the whole society. And it is your future that can be harmed by drugs. Drug traffickers don’t use it and neither their children, so, why should you?
Email: [email protected]
