What comes to mind when you think of women in Saudi Arabia? I bet drug addiction is not one of the images you imagined.
According to a director of the anti-drug department (who knew Saudi Arabia even had one) the country’s women are becoming victims of drug abuse.
Brig. Gen. Abdullah Al-Jameel said women were victims of abuse in most drug cases registered by his department. They have become victims of drug abuse after being lured into it either by their husbands or any one of their relatives who are drug addicts or traffickers. Among women, those who are employees or have a fixed income are more susceptible to drug abuse.
Al-Jameel also pointed out that the drug mafia was flourishing following the recent political turmoil and turbulence in the neighboring Arab countries. Drug smuggling and trafficking is considered a major crime in the Kingdom, where offenders may receive the death penalty if convicted.
While underscoring the fact that Saudi Arabia is one of the main targets of drug traffickers, the official reaffirmed that the Kingdom has the potential and capability to confront any challenges posed by the international drug mafia.
There is no doubt that mafia activities flourish when there is political turmoil or instability in any country. The government is working toward combating the trafficking.
Al-Jameel claims The Kingdom is a main target of drug gangs.
A majority of women inmates at prisons in the Eastern Province are those who have been detained in connection with immoral and drug related cases. In most drug cases registered there were women who had become victims of exploitation either by their husbands or any of their relatives. This is more obvious in the case of women with employment or financial resources. There are also some cases in which women are misused as drug carriers.
Sometimes it is interesting to see that drug abuse is a global problem. Without much knowledge of the Arab world and day-to-day activities you ten to stereotype the region as sober. Hopefully the Saudi government will hold drug classes and try to educate the public on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Obviously the threat of punishment or death is not working.
Source: http://arabnews.com