Blogs

12 Aug 2026

Amman

The family serves as the foundational building block for social stability. However, mounting socio-economic challenges continue to strain the resilience of this core unit. Among these, the scourge of drug abuse stands out as one of the most immediate threats to community security, eroding human potential particularly among youth and adolescents.

On the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse, Tkiyet Um Ali’s Jusoor podcast dedicated an episode to exploring family and community protection mechanisms against the devastating impacts of this phenomenon. The episode featured Lt. Col. Nabil Al-Rawashdeh, Head of the Awareness Department at the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND).

Key Figures: The Scale of Field Challenges in Jordan

Official statistics released for 2024 reveal that the Anti-Narcotics Department handled approximately 25,000 cases spanning usage, illicit trafficking, and promotion. These critical metrics underscore the imperative of integrated efforts between security forces and civil society organizations to curb the escalation of the crisis and mitigate its repercussions.

"Addressing the drug crisis demands a unified, team-based approach," noted Lt. Col. Nabil Al-Rawashdeh. "Law enforcement and regulatory mechanisms are rendered complete only through family awareness and community reintegration of recovering individuals, free from social stigma"

Lt. Col. Al-Rawashdeh emphasized that the primary line of defense begins within the household by observing emerging behavioral indicators among dependents, including:

· Sudden isolation and social withdrawal.

· Severe mood swings and unprovoked shifts in communication patterns.

· Resorting to deception or secrecy.

He stressed the importance of parents acting with resolve and prudence, avoiding punitive measures or fear-driven responses rooted in social stigma. He reassured the public that reporting cases and seeking intervention are handled with absolute confidentiality, safeguarding the dignity and rights of individuals and their families.

Reintegration and Support for Affected Families

Awareness strategies must transcend prevention and medical intervention to encompass post-recovery care. Embracing recovering individuals and facilitating their reintegration into the social fabric are crucial to preventing relapse. The discussion also highlighted the necessity of

providing psycho-social support to families of affected individuals to alleviate the social and psychological burdens imposed by these crises.

An effective preventative framework requires viewing the family unit through a holistic, integrated lens. Sustainable protection can only be achieved through a multi-sectoral partnership that aligns security and awareness initiatives with social safety net institutions.

Tkiyet Um Ali and Dar Abu Abdullah maintain that precarious living conditions and economic hardship create fertile ground for social vulnerabilities, compromising internal protective mechanisms within families.