KUWAIT CITY, Sept 23: In a coordinated effort to safeguard Kuwait’s youth from the clutches of drug addiction, experts say the Ministry of Interior has waged successful campaigns against the drug trafficking mafia. Specialists in psychology and addiction treatment stress the Interior Ministry is determined to wipe out drug peddling operations and the rate of addiction, particularly among teenagers and students. Dr. Ghanima Karam, an addiction treatment consultant, highlighted that the recent security operations have led to critical reductions in addiction rates. She praised the Ministry’s ability to track and intercept illegal substances, whether smuggled through land, sea, or air, and pointed to their crackdown on local drug cultivation and liquor factories.

However, experts stressed on the need for continuous cooperation among government agencies to fully eradicate the problem. They called for stronger efforts by the Ministry of Education and the media in the area of spreading awareness about the dangers of drugs, particularly among school students. Psychologist Dr. Ahmed Salama stated that drugs are one of the most dangerous forms of fourth-generation warfare, aimed at destroying youth and society by negatively impacting both mental and physical health, particularly the nervous system.

He pointed out the severe psychological disorders that drugs can cause, including anxiety, stress, depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and a loss of motivation to achieve anything positive. Drug addiction warps the addict’s view of life into one of pessimism and can lead to conditions like schizophrenia, delusions, and paranoia. Experts also emphasized the crucial role of parents in this battle, urging them to guide their children, instill Islamic values, and stay alert to any changes in their behavior. Lawyer Adhbi Al-Tahnoon emphasized that the Ministry of Interior is making significant efforts to track down the sources of drugs. Investigations with drug dealers and users are focused on identifying the major kingpins who lead the trade in narcotics.

Al-Tahnoon noted that the Kuwaiti judiciary takes a very strict stance in drug-related cases. Only the innocent escape punishment, while those convicted face severe penalties, ranging from imprisonment to execution or life sentences, which serve as a deterrent to all. With ongoing efforts and increased vigilance, these specialists believe that Kuwait can safeguard its youth from falling prey to addiction.

The Ministry of Education is calling for increased attention to the role of psychological and social specialists in schools to combat the rising issue of addiction among students. The officials emphasized the need for more intensive training programs for specialists to equip them with the skills to manage and address the behaviors of young addicts. These specialists are also tasked with guiding families on how to deal with their children at home, as recent years have seen a troubling increase in addiction rates among younger students, including those in middle school. The Ministry highlighted the importance of early intervention, noting that children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to dangerous behaviors during these critical developmental stages.

They also stressed the significant responsibility of parents to instill values and morals in their children to help prevent addiction and other harmful behaviors.

In addition to schools and families, the Ministry pointed out the vital role of mosques, places of worship, the media, and civil society institutions in spreading awareness and promoting preventive measures against the scourge of drugs. By working together, they believe Kuwait can shield its youth from falling prey to addiction. He added that the Ministry of Interior, under the leadership of First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, has placed great emphasis on combating all forms of drugs through large, successive campaigns.

These operations have resulted in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics and the arrest of numerous drug dealers and traffickers of psychotropic substances that have become more prevalent in recent times. In its review, the Al-Seyassah newspaper monitored the drug seizures and anti-narcotics operations carried out by the Ministry of Interior over the past three months. For instance, on the first day of June, Hawally Security Directorate arrested a person in possession of suspected drugs, psychotropic substances, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia, with pending arrest warrants. On the same day, another individual with similar charges was arrested with suspected narcotics. On June 4, six individuals, including five citizens and one woman, were apprehended.

Two of them were employees of the General Administration of Customs, and they were found in possession of nearly one million capsules of the drug Lyrica. The recent anti-drug operations in Kuwait highlight the growing efforts of the Ministry of Interior to combat drug trafficking and smuggling.

Below is a summary of key seizures and arrests in recent months:

June 24, 2024 — Security forces seized mobile phones, sharp weapons, and suspected narcotics from several inmates.

July 6, 2024 — Authorities arrested 25 defendants in 14 separate cases, confiscating approximately 7,250 kilograms of various narcotics.

July 18, 2024 — An attempt to smuggle 160 kilograms of hashish by sea was thwarted, leading to the arrest of four suspects involved in the trafficking operation.

August 1, 2024 — Three individuals were arrested for running a psychotropic substance factory in a desert area. The raid yielded 90.5 kilograms of various narcotics, 600,000 psychotropic pills, 12 manufacturing devices, and a sensitive scale.

August 9, 2024 — Security forces seized 80 kilograms of the drug Shabu.

August 18, 2024 — Authorities foiled a smuggling attempt involving 164 kilograms of narcotics.

August 21, 2024 — 15 kilograms of drugs were confiscated.

August 22, 2024 —Several people were arrested in possession of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and alcohol.

August 25, 2024 — A criminal network specializing in drug smuggling from a European country was dismantled, leading to the arrest of five defendants.

September 3, 2024 — Security services seized approximately 24 kilograms of various drugs, 28,500 psychotropic pills, marijuana seedlings, six unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and a large sum of money.

September 6, 2024 — Anti-narcotics officers thwarted a smuggling attempt involving 1.5 kilograms of pure heroin.

September 14, 2024 — A secret Lyrica manufacturing factory, operated by a stateless person, was seized.

September 15, 2024 — A liquor factory run by two Asian nationals was discovered and dismantled in a desert area in the north of the country.

September 17, 2024 — Two individuals were arrested in possession of approximately 150,000 psychotropic tablets and four firearms, along with ammunition, in a northern desert area.

September 18, 2024 — A stateless person was arrested with 12 kilograms of narcotics and 30,000 psychotropic capsules. These operations demonstrate the increasing vigilance and success of Kuwaiti authorities in combating drug-related crimes across the country.

By Najeh Bilal
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff