By Ihsan Muhammad
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Daraa Governorate in southern Syria is one of the prominent cities that faces serious challenges of drugs proliferating, as the residents have noticed a marked hike in drug smuggling and promotion activities, which negatively impact the rise in crime and violence.
This situation has caused public discontent, and people expressed frustration over absence of government control and combating this issue.
When did drugs emerge in Daraa?
Journalist Osama al-Miqdad, a resident in Daraa, said that the reason for the spread of drugs in the city is its geographical location, which facilitated smuggling process through it to other regions.
Al-Miqdad added that Daraa is adjacent to Suwayda Governorate, and is also adjacent to the Jordanian borders, so it is considered the path to the Gulf Countries.
He told North Press that southern Syria is experiencing a real disaster due to the drugs proliferation, indicating that the drug trade has become prevalent after the government forces and the Iranian-backed militias took control of southern Syria in July 2018.
The Iranian-backed militias and security branches affiliated with the Syrian government forces oversee and protect drug protection factories in Daraa, al-Miqdad noted.
Consequences of drugs are evident
Lawyer Eyad al-Zoubi told North Press that one of the negative effects of drugs proliferation in Daraa is the increase in crime rates, especially kidnapping, murders, and thefts.
Al-Zoubi said that one of the main factors that increase youth vulnerability to drug use is the easy way to obtain drugs, the high number of drugs promoters, the high unemployment rate among young people, and the lack of solution to their problems.
He added that the residents have attempted to propose strategies to rehabilitate addicted people, such as establishing a center specialized. However, a project like that received no funds or interest neither from the government nor the local community.
Al-Zoubi emphasized that drug proliferation negatively impacts families and social relationships by destroying families and spreading crimes committed by drug dealers, drug promoters, and addicted persons.
He explained that there are entities facilitate drug production and distribution, with interests linked to international parties seek destroying the social cohesion and spreading crimes among youth to achieve their political objectives.
In case the major drug dealers are not combated, the drug issue will persist and will not be curable, al-Zoubi concluded.
Jordanian borders have been witnessing drug smuggling coming to its territory from Syria, as the Jordanian authorities have targeted drug smugglers in Syrian territory several times.
The Jordanian army announced many times that since 2023, they have thwarted many infiltration and smuggling attempts on the Syrian-Jordanian border.