Prime Minister Najib Mikati, represented by Interior Minister Bassam Molawi, sponsored the "Half Full" event to distribute achievements and figures from the Lebanese security forces in combating the drug scourge, organized by the "Jad Association - Youth Against Drugs" on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse. During the event, held at the Grand Serail, Molawi stated, "Combating drugs is a fundamental aspect of our crisis since we took over the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. This scourge, which lurks in our communities, must be met with vigilance through awareness efforts like today’s meeting, along with all the seminars and workshops conducted by the 'Jad' Association and other organizations and media outlets. Drug addiction is a slow death that creeps into our families."
He added, "We can firmly stand against the promotion of drugs and educate our children about its dangers to prevent them from slipping into dire situations. On the operational side, everyone knows and has recently witnessed the preparedness of the security forces and the effective role they played in preventing the smuggling of drugs, particularly Captagon pills, through proactive measures that have significantly reduced these operations, which tarnished Lebanon's reputation among its Arab neighbors." He emphasized the need to reactivate the "National Committee for Drug Control," which would develop strategies to combat drug abuse in Lebanon and treat addicts.
There were also speeches from MP Michel Moussa and Minister of Agriculture Abbas Haj Hassan, highlighting the seriousness of this expanding scourge, especially among teenagers, and the necessity of strict law enforcement. Studies have shown that the rate of drug users has increased, particularly in recent years with the economic and social collapse the country is facing and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reports indicate the emergence of new types of drugs that were not previously prevalent at this level, and according to the "Jad" Association, a notable and alarming aspect is the rise in the percentage of women who abuse drugs to more than 22 percent of addicts.
The Internal Security Forces announced, alongside other operations carried out by the security forces and the army, the arrest of a gang promoting drugs among school students, which poses a grave risk to Lebanese society as a whole.
