Drug-Related Cases on the Rise - PM

AMMAN - Drug-related cases are on the rise in the Kingdom, including
trafficking, addiction and cultivation on an individual basis, Prime
Minister Nader Dahabi said on Monday.

"Whenever this issue is brought up, we hear that Jordan is a transit
country for drugs," but there is a problem which is in its early
stages, he told MPs during a Lower HSource: Jordan Times (Jordan)
Contact: jotimes@jpf.com.jo
Copyright: 2008 Jordan Press Foundation
Website: http://www.jordantimes.com/
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ouse session designated to discuss
the problem of drugs and its impact on society.

The premier called on concerned parties to cooperate to combat this
problem by diagnosing the reasons behind it and finding solutions to
control it.

He also referred to a national strategy to prevent the use of
Jordanian territory for smuggling purposes, noting that it also
focuses on combating drug use, as well as prevention and treatment.

Dahabi also stressed the importance of awareness which he said starts
at home and continues at schools, mosques, universities, the workplace
and the media, in addition to governmental and nongovernmental
institutions and youth centres.

Dahabi said the National Council for Combating Narcotics, which
comprises representatives from several concerned ministries, and the
strategy are not enough to fight this problem.

"Follow-up, implementation and financial support for the
Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) will enable them to fight this
dangerous phenomenon," Dahabi noted, adding that the government will
continue to support this department.

Referring to drug dealers, Dahabi reiterated that the government will
not tolerate any individual or district in the Kingdom acting as if it
is above the law.

He also called on those who report on drug cases to provide the
government with accurate information, citing a letter he received this
week with false information about two farms that allegedly cultivated
drugs.

During yesterday's three-hour session, Interior Minister Eid Fayez,
who presented the latest figures on drug trafficking and abuse cases,
told MPs that there is no drug cultivation for commercial purposes in
the country.

He noted that hashish is the most common drug used in Jordan, and
youths constitute the majority of users.

According to international criteria, Jordan is considered a transit
point between drug producing and consuming countries, the minister
said, adding that 85 per cent of drugs seized in the country are en
route to other countries.

Fayez also detailed the awareness programmes implemented by the Public
Security Department (PSD) and the AND in cooperation with other
concerned parties.

The government will issue special legislation governing the
rehabilitation of first-time offenders instead of referring them to
court, the minister said, noting that the government considers drug
addicts as "victims and not criminals".

More than 30 deputies took the podium to air their comments yesterday,
with some calling for the execution of drug traffickers.

Others called for increasing financial allocations for the PSD,
adopting new rehabilitation mechanisms and stepping up awareness campaigns.