Raqeeb – Brigadier General Loay Arzeigat, spokesperson for the Palestinian Police, warned of the rising wave of drug abuse among youth and its impact on Palestinian society, stressing that this phenomenon poses a threat to family structure and social values.
During an interview on the program In the Circle of Al-Raqeeb, Arzeigat pointed to a recent shocking crime in the city of Jenin, where a young man killed his parents at home. He affirmed that such incidents are rare but reveal the influence of psychological and social factors on young people, in addition to the role of drugs in fueling behavioral breakdown.
Brig. Gen. Arzeigat explained that drugs affect the nervous and mental systems, and that addiction can sometimes lead to committing crimes. He emphasized that the age group most involved in drug use ranges between 25 and 35 years old, with occasional cases recorded among minors. He confirmed that the police operate under a dual strategy that includes awareness and guidance within schools and families, alongside pursuing and arresting drug dealers and distributors in accordance with the law.
He also stressed the need for cooperation between families and the community to confront the spread of drugs, noting that hesitation to seek help out of fear of social stigma poses a danger to youth and households. Reports of drug use, he assured, are handled with complete confidentiality, with psychological support and guidance provided to families.
In conclusion, Brig. Gen. Arzeigat urged young people to be aware of the dangers of drugs and to watch out for bad company and curiosity that may lead to experimentation, stressing that protecting the family and its safety represents the first line of defense for Palestinian society.