IN spite of stringent measures to stop drugs entering Saudi Arabia and severe punishments meted out to the smugglers, the flow of narcotics into the country continues unabated, official figures show. During 2013-2014, the Ministry of Interior seized 37.3 tons of hashish, 41.4 million amphetamine tablets, 17.8 kg of raw heroin, 5.8 kg of heroin, 526 kg of pure cocaine, 6.3 kg of methamphetamine hydrochloride and 740,900 other tablets that require medical prescriptions. Drug experts say that the amount of hashish that was seized is enough to make over 186 million joints, Al-Riyadh newspaper said in a report. Saudi Border Guards work hard to fortify the Kingdom's borders and anyone caught smuggling drugs into the country faces the death penalty. Aside from that, Saudi authorities often carry out major media campaigns to tackle the problem. Economist Dr. Muhammad Dulaim Al-Qahtani said smugglers will search for new methods to smuggle drugs into the Kingdom. “This includes using young people who they exploit along with gullible people who fail to understand the dangers of what they are doing,” said Al-Qahtani. “Some people smuggle drugs in spite of the severe penalties because they have gotten used to the entire thing. They have reached the point of no return. In many cases, the smuggler is just a mule. He might have been manipulated by someone; perhaps someone is threatening him or his family,” he added. Al-Qahtani said the Kingdom is vast and surrounded by several countries that are insecure and unstable. “The authorities have achieved great success in combating terrorism and they need to transfer this into combating drugs. This should be done through a robust program and close monitoring to stamp out this menace. Smugglers are no less dangerous than terrorists,” he added. He called for the establishment of a specialist center to provide solutions to monitor and stop the entry of drugs into Saudi Arabia. “We also need to introduce laws to strengthen the country and look at good practices abroad. Anyone breaking the law should be punished and the authorities should also work among young people, particularly students, to raise awareness,” said Al-Qahtani, adding that prison visits should be organized so that young people understand what happens if they are caught smuggling drugs. “The dangers should be explained to them. They need to be told they risk ruining their future. Students and civil servants should also be randomly tested for drugs. This system should be made compulsory for all. It should be linked to the General Directorate for Combating Drugs,” he said, adding that unemployment is a crucial contributor in young people using drugs. Faleh Al-Dowsari, imam of a local mosque, said drugs are a serious problem and cause of widespread crime. “Families have broken up because of the menace of drugs and our youth are no longer in touch with society's values because of drugs,” he said. “I find the Ministry of Interior figures in relation to drug dealers and smugglers both shocking and at the same time pleasing because our authorities are working hard to tackle this problem,” he said, adding that drugs is a tool that is being used to ruin the Kingdom and the Islamic nation at large. “This is a problem that is aimed at the dearest thing that the nation possesses and that is our youth. The idea is to ensure we have no hope for the future. I call on everyone to stand shoulder to shoulder with the authorities in tackling drugs,” he added. Al-Dowsari warned against providing support and shelter to smugglers and dealers. “Drugs are evil. If a person falls into this trap, he will lose his mind and possessions, including his wealth, religion and honor,” he added.
