Moroccan NGO goes to war with drug addiction
2007-03-04
The Media Observatory for Youth is calling for a more concerted effort to fight drug addiction in the country.
By Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca -- 04/03/07
 [Getty Images] Drug addiction in Morocco is affecting school kids |
The Media Observatory for Youth, a Moroccan watchdog group, has been waging a relentless battle to combat drug use among young people.
The group recently launched a petition calling for a national campaign to fight drug addiction. The petition calls for to raising awareness and motivating people to action against this serious epidemic, affecting primarily young Moroccans.
During a national colloquium last week in Rabat, the Observatory screened an eight-minute documentary film entitled Youth and the Hell of Drugs, prepared in co-operation with the United Nations Population Fund and the Moroccan Ministry of Health. The film depicts the plight of young people battling addiction, and contains first-hand accounts of the dangers and destructive effects it has on young peoples' lives.
"We let the [addicts] speak without any commentary… to say how it began for them," said Kaoutar Tbatou, director of media and communications at the Observatory. "The film will play an important part in the planned awareness campaign. For example, there is a young woman who was raped, and found in drugs a way to forget her troubles; a young man who initially considered it a moment of fun with friends, and then because of it he became an addict."
The colloquium discussed several topics related to narcotics and health, the role of civil society in fighting drugs, the danger of drugs becoming widespread in educational institutions, and the role of the media in fighting drugs. Youth representatives from national and international NGOs in 27 Arab and African states participated.
The Observatory was established in 2002 to shed light on problems facing youth in Moroccan society. It employs young people working in media and communications, and a number of social workers, brought together by their desire to present the problems of young people to national decision makers.
"The terrifying spread of drugs amongst young people is what motivates us and makes us sound the alarm to prompt immediate intervention from all those concerned to put a stop to this epidemic", said Abdelwahed Ziat, Secretary-General of the Observatory.
In addition to organising health awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse, the Observatory has called for an increase in the number of treatment facilities, and demands that confiscated drug assets be used to create rehabilitation institutions. It has also fought to establish help lines and to expand the role of the National Committee for Drug Prevention. The NGO also wants to see increased communication between educators, families and young people.
According to a report by the High Committee for Housing published in 2005, 5% of secondary school students use illegal drugs. The report of the Mediterranean Project for Inquiry into Alcohol and Other Drugs in Schools, also from 2005, showed that 21% of students aged 15-17 in the Rabat-Sale used alcohol, 14% used marijuana, 20% used hallucinogenic drugs, and 8.7% used miscellaneous narcotics.
Although Morocco is making a tremendous effort to fight illegal drugs, the country lacks a comprehensive campaign of awareness and prevention and awareness. Treatment is expensive and inadequate, with only two public facilities located in Sale and Tangiers.
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naouma Posted 2007-03-04
The plight of drugs needs more attention and allocation of all the necessary resources to combat it. Morocco like any other country in the world, is still sustaining its consequences that is destroying its youth, males and females. It has much work to do to fact up to it. I dont think the solution is easy. It rather requires deep thinking in the root causes of the problem that push the youth to addiction and find the right solution. The state and society are also to blame for this problem!
rbati nabil Posted 2007-03-11
The challenge of drugs is the real factor that determines development and prosperity in Moroccan society. While we do not see any shortage in all kinds of drugs in Moroccan streets as if there is a policy that imposes this reality, it even makes efforts to spread it. How can we fight this plight when drug dealers in every district do their best to keep the business growing!
علال Posted 2007-03-20
The worst topic
فاطمة الزهراء Posted 2007-03-28
I want to know more about this program as it kills many of our youth especially in the region of Rabat Sale Zemour Zeir.
3azedine belhou Posted 2007-06-01
Drugs become a serious problem in our society. but what can we do as a community to stop drug and alcohol addiction? i think that schools and families can do a lot of things to stop this problem. what can parents say or do to keep thier teens drug free and convince them to stay away from drugs? first,parents must teach thier children standards of right and wrong , they must spend more time with thier child because studies confirm that teenagers whose parents spend time with them stay away of drugs and alcohol. parents chould talk about tobacco ,alcohol and drugs and explain the harm and damage that can cause this abuse.Becides,parents must listen carefully to thier teens in order to know and solve thier problems. parents must set limits and teach values to thier children and practice religious and spiritual activities and encourage thier children to do this. finally,i think parents must be a good role model for their teens because what you do is more powrefull than what you say. I tried to include some solutions that can reduce drug and alcohol addiction but i think it is a big problem and there is a lot to say about it.
houcine Posted 2008-02-03
Salam alaikoum. I want to know the names of associations working in fighting drugs in Morocco and their addresses. Thank you.
امزيل عزيز Posted 2008-02-20
I want to know what can we do to stop this phenomenon which we're sorry for our Morocco for it.
سارة Posted 2008-02-29
I want to say that all drugs have become a waste of health, especially mentally, when a person takes them and can no longer leave them. Therefore they shouldn’t be present in Morocco and other countries.
الشيطان Posted 2008-02-29
Please send me statistics about the number of addicted in the Arab Maghreb and in each country.
mostapha Posted 2008-03-12
I am addicted to drugs but they calm me down. If there were no drugs, there would be anarchy in the country. Greetings- Thank you.
اختكم في الله Posted 2008-04-12
Thank you. The topic is great and succinct. May God reward you with good. Thank you very much.
سكينة الزين العلوي Posted 2008-04-12
Salam alikoum. The problem of drugs is very serious, and should be fought by all means.
سارة Posted 2008-04-21
I hope that Moroccan young people will understand that these drugs are very bad. We must teach them a lesson and talk to them about the causes of the drugs phenomenon in all its forms.
amine Posted 2008-04-24
I am a young Moroccan man. Forgive us people, young people don’t just go to take drugs, there are reasons. When the young man goes to look for a job, he finds only the baccalaureate. You study until you are old and there is nothing. A young man sees that some are playing with money while one cannot even find what to eat. Isn’t this madness. Find us a job and you will see different young people. This is the truth people. We hope that God grants us all an outlet.
عبد الله Posted 2008-05-02
Drugs… the most dangerous thing in the world… Let’s fight it…But we must fight officials because they are the cause of this problem, they trade in this product: smuggle:…who? The National Security, members of the Royal Gendarmerie and so on. For example, in the town of Stihhat and Jebha, the region of the province of Chefchaoun, the Royal Gendarmerie is responsible for smuggling drugs in huge volumes. They get millions to facilitate smuggling. In some cases, they carry it in their car, transport it and deliver it to the smuggling area, they conduct transactions with these foreign agents. Moreover, they track smugglers at night without any permit from the higher authority… Not to get hold of them but to negotiate with them for money. So we ask the officials to interfere urgently in this matter and to control them.
rajasakthi Posted 2008-05-29
Addiction treatment and recovery resources for the addict and their families. the most dangerous thing in the world… Let’s fight it…But we must fight officials because they are the cause of this problem, they trade in this product: smuggle:…who? The National Security, members of the Royal Gendarmerie and so on. For example, in the town of Stihhat and Jebha, the region of the province of Chefchaoun, the Royal Gendarmerie is responsible for smuggling drugs in huge volumes.When the young man goes to look for a job, he finds only the baccalaureate. You study until you are old and there is nothing. A young man sees that some are playing with money while one cannot even find what to eat. Isn’t this madness. Find us a job and you will see different young people. This is the truth people. We hope that God grants us all an outlet.
ادم Posted 2008-10-19
Thank you for this interesting topic. I ask you for the addresses of treatment clinics in Rabat. Thank you.
XX Posted 2008-11-15
Before talking about drugs in Morocco, we need to know who benefits when drugs are sold in Morocco. That is the question. We all know that the leaders know that there are billions in drugs in Morocco, so why has no one been able to fight against this virus, which is killing our young people day by day? My brother, before anything else, we need to change our Moroccan mentality and thought process and learn that drugs are not a solution but a problem.
Anonymous Posted 2008-11-15
Before blaming officials, we must blame ourselves. Who has encouraged officials to bring us drugs? Why don’t we look for development methods instead of addiction? Some say that it is a way to forget. We must reform ourselves before blaming other people. If anyone of us reformed his interpretation, we would have made progress.
gol Posted 2008-11-18
People often forget that cigarettes are also drugs and that they have disastrous consequences! It is already a step forward in just making a law against secondhand smoke. The liberty of one ends where another’s starts. In conclusion, we need to definitively get rid of this poison and eradicate the corporations producing it. That is why we need to not only deal with the consequences, but also the causes. This is to say: there is nothing better than a good education to sensitise or students in school.
Anonymous Posted 2008-11-25
I want to know the address of a narcotics treatment unit in the city of Tangier. Please send it to me via email. Thank you.
وليد Posted 2008-11-26
I want a solution to the problem of drug addiction in Morocco.
وءام ااعمري Posted 2008-11-29
I want to say that these drugs are hazardous to the health and you are wasting a lot of money. This is all. I warn you against these drugs. Thank you. Call at this number
hghgfhg Posted 2008-12-06
Salam alikum. I want the addresses of clinics in Casablanca to cure drug addiction to save my cousin. Thank you very much.
Abdellah Posted 2008-12-08
Salam alikum. I want the addresses of clinics in Casablanca / Tanger to cure drug-heroin addiction to help my sister get back to real life. Thank you very much in advance. Abdellah
chaaru Omayma Posted 2008-12-14
salam alaykum ! i would like to give an advice for all smOkers drugs and i tell them quit smoking because it's can kill you.then take care yourselves ( thx tO all )
محمد Posted 2008-12-16
Very, very dangerous!
إلهام Posted 2008-12-18
I want to know the address of a unit to treat drug addiction in Tangier. Please send it to me via email. Thank you.
hanane Posted 2008-12-19
Salam. I want solutions to drugs as an individual and group. Thank you for the information.
خولة Posted 2008-12-29
I want solutions to drugs.
nada Posted 2009-01-16
Hello- How are you? Thank you for this website, which is truly very important, especially for young people. My question is as follows: how many kids are using this sort of cocaine?
Hanhanhaneee Posted 2009-02-04
I dont care!! just die
maggy Posted 2009-02-06
I can see by reading all these posts that there are alot of drugs in North Africa too. But I understand too that many people are in denial about this fact..they say OH No!! we do not have any drugs here. Talking about it will heal people and get them off drugs..so please make the phone numbers available and resource centres where people can get help and OFF drugs.. its an epedemic out there..
christelle Posted 2009-02-09
The preparatory documents for this Praia conference begin with self-criticism. Certainly, the countries of the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) adopted in recent years the recommendations, declarations and other decisions on the fight against drug trafficking, but, according to the organisers, this has not come to amount to much. The traffickers, however, have clearly decided in recent years to invest in West Africa. And that goes most especially for the South American cartels, which are looking for transit points to transport heroin and cocaine to Europe. According to ECOWAS, after having used the lines connecting Brazil to South Africa for some time, they have now turned their sights to the western part of the continent, via which they are looking to get to the European coast. The risks this situation entails vary: consumer development in the countries of transit, the increase of crime, a resorting to corruption as a way of life. “We, the ECOWAS, must act urgently”, the editor of the preparatory document for this conference says in bold. This is appalling. Idriss Déby Itno, who is recognised by Interpol as a drug lord, is never mentioned in these types of conferences. How are we not to doubt their professionalism? 761 kilograms of cocaine were seized last August in Mauritania.
fatimazahra Posted 2009-02-11
No to war.
amjad Posted 2009-02-18
Drugs are the evil of the era. We must be careful about them especially in adolescence. Thank you.
digby Posted 2009-02-18
Peace, certainly "no to war" however the youth of humanity is falling victim to dependances on certain substances and SUFFERING! A suffering which spreads to the families and the streets of our cities. Where are these rehabilitation centres in Morocco if they exist how can there addresses be found? Education and alternative activities for our youth are the only answer, and for those who have already fallen, the possibility to resurface through centres of rehabilitation suitably staffed and equipped to give the chance of a future of hope. Sadly even in so called developed countries this problem axists, and yet several already proven techniques are unused owing to their contraversiality. Society is an idea of living peacefully and happily, in a co-existence, tolerant of each and all, and with the intention of reducing the necessary suffering in life to a minimum!
lara Posted 2009-02-22
Thank you for this great article.
محمد علي Posted 2009-04-05
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I want to know the address of unit for the treatment of drug addiction in Tangier or Tetouane (Morocco). Please send them to me via email. Thank you.
karim Posted 2009-04-12
It is not important that we young people know where the danger lies because this is one of the duties of the state which fights addicted young people instead of fighting addiction and its main sources. Everyone knows this very well.
Omar Posted 2009-04-14
Thank you for the article and for being practical. Does anyone know the addresses and telephone numbers of specialists in the fight against this virus? It is beginning to spread quicker than we think and in spite of the negligence of our leaders (including our educational institutions). I have done many searches on the Internet, but, unfortunately, the number of centres is very small and they are only located in the big cities. And, I cannot find anything about independent organisations. –Thank you again
David Posted 2009-04-28
there is no possible solution to stop this phenomenon, we should think critically, by thinking about a solution to help people get over their addiction, because it is indisputably impossible to stop drugs from morocco, it s a multi million dollars industry, that contributes in our economy, and every one knows that. so I believe that, as a supporting solution, we should have rehabilitatioin centers that would help people get over their addiction, and get back on track. rehab cennters have become very popûlar, especially in the united states, where poeple a lot people tend to fall in this dark area, and appearantly, it helped a lot people, who have the will to quit this deadly habit.
سليمه Posted 2009-05-09
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I ask you by God if you know the addresses of associations treating addiction to provide us their names and addresses in order to help our sons stop their addiction. It is not the addicted person who suffers, it is his family. The addicted person lives in another world, deprived of will. But the big suffering of those surrounding him especially when the addicted person hurts himself and cuts his arteries. I ask you benefactors who want the good of this people and its sons, who are concerned about its sons and young people to provide us the addresses and figures, may God reward you with all God; May God spare you in your children what we see in ours. This is unacceptable. Our sons are wasted and we are watching without making the impossible to treat them and assist them. I ask you for the third time for this address and phone numbers of associations, but no one replies; May God reward you with good, give them to us. This scourge can invade the house of everyone even those who have the number of the association. May God protect you, let's unite our efforts and let everyone try to treat one of addicted people in his family. This will at least contribute to the treatment of our sons. May God protect us all from this plague which entered through Moroccan outlets, infiltrated, killed the dignity of our sons and daughters, deprived them of their will. I wish recovery to everyone. Your sister Salima.
ام انس Posted 2009-05-17
Please provide us the addresses and phone numbers of drug fighting associations and rehabilitation centres. Thank you.
widad Posted 2009-05-31
Salam. I am Widad from Morocco. I want the addresses of some centres which fight drug addiction. I have a brother who is addicted to a drug which is 'silisyoun' (a type of glue). If possible, help me so that he overcomes this phase. It is about 17 years now that he is addicted to it. If possible, I want an address as soon as possible because his condition is deteriorating. Thank you.
A.El Badaoui Posted 2009-08-04
Dear ALL, Thank you Brothers and sisters for this interesting discussion, the problem of drugs is universal especially now days in our respected country this phenomenon becomes more sophisticated, I really do urge the media to play an effective role in order to educate people especially youngsters Also I strongly blame the government not succeeding to tackle those in charge of smuggling hard drugs to our southern borders (Crack, Cocaine, Heroine) this type of drugs you only need to use them few times to get hooked especially crack and heroine and obviously when you get the urge and cravings people addicted will do anything to get money, as we all know the authorities including political parties are so busy making money for them selves they have no strategy of making change, For your information our Moroccan territories became the new route of hard drugs to Europe. Shipped all the way from South America to Africa then through morocco to Europe,May Allah help us all? And the amount of hard drugs that stays in morocco is obviously has been exchanged by Hashish . Kind regards
omar Posted 2009-08-26
If there are no drugs in Morocco, there will be a chaos.
عمر رياض Posted 2009-10-01
Salam alikum. Mercy of God be upon you. Please visit the site of Al Mothakaf of the Arrabita Al Mohamadia for scholars, the Arrabita works presently on producing a project to fight drugs in schools under the supervision of experts in fighting addiction. Thank you.
souad Posted 26 days ago
My sister is suffering from this problem, and our entire family suffers with her. I ask you to please give me the names and addresses of rehabilitation centres and organisations that fight against drugs.
SALMA Posted 12 days ago
The worst topic.
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