NAJRAN — Drug trafficking in the Kingdom over the past year was estimated to be worth SR23 billion, revealed a symposium organized by Najran University. Psychologist from Najran Health Affairs Dr. Muhammad Mansour talked about the causes that lead someone to become addicted to drugs and the types of addicts, reported Al Yaum newspaper. He focused also on the early signs that help a family identify whether one of their members has become addicted to drugs and provide him with help before the addiction becomes worse. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Matroodi, member of the National Anti-Drugs Committee, said many young men get involved in this illicit business in order to make money fast. He cited the story of a 15-year-old boy who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being caught red-handed with an envelope full of drugs. The boy was supposed to deliver the envelope and receive money for it, he added. Sheikh Al-Matroodi said juveniles involved in this business should be handed alternative verdicts, not prison sentences, because the latter does not help in rehabilitating them. First Lt. Faisal Al-Shamrani, an anti-drug officer, said Al-Amal hospitals can accommodate 200 drug addicts only and this is not enough. There are lots of addicts here that need rehabilitation and reintegration into society, he noted. A recent study by the Ministry of Justice revealed 28 percent of Saudi women are involved in drug cases while 68 percent of non-Saudi women are involved in drug trafficking and possession cases. – SG
