Pubdate: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 Source: Yemen Observer (Yemen) Copyright: 2007 Yemen Observer Contact: http://www.yobserver.com/contactus/contactus.php?issue=86 Website: http://www.yobserver.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3136 Author: Hakim Almasmari HASHISH AND HEROIN USE SOAR IN 2006 Large amounts of illegal drugs were seized throughout the country in 2006, say security sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. While a variety of drugs were seized, the bulk of the shipments were of hashish and heroin. "The security forces seized in 2006 more than 2,100 kilograms of drugs, mostly hashish and heroin, from the various governorates in Yemen. In addition, it seized 41,000 prescription pills of various sizes and uses." The government has recently stepped up its efforts to combat drugs, which resulted last year in one of the largest drug busts in recent memory. In one incident last July, security authorities in Aden destroyed 1,052 kilograms of hashish and other drugs, including heroin, the value of which was estimated at YR 526 million. "Such quantities of drugs were seized thanks to efforts by policemen in the governorate who fight the phenomenon of trafficking drugs between Yemen and the neighboring countries," said Chief of Aden Security Department, Colonel Abdullah Qairan. "In cooperation with security authorities, many outlets, which had been used for transporting these harmful substances, have been controlled by the concerned bodies in the government and civil community organizations," he added The security forces added that 221 suspects are on trial, and awaiting their verdict on drug selling. Most of the suspects imprisoned are Yemeni, while four are from other Arab countries, and 14 are from other foreign countries. Ten of this last group were Pakistani. They were caught in Mahra governorate, in a bust that apprehended 25 suspects, who allegedly imported drugs from foreign counties across the vast Yemeni coastline. According to the authorities, a large proportion of the drugs that enter Yemen come through Pakistan. Dr. Wadee Azazi, a specialized professor in economics says that the reason that drug use is not as widespread in Yemen as it is in other countries in the region is because qat is seen as a light and cheaper replacement for other drugs. Also, due to poor economic situations in the country, the majority of citizens don't consider drugs an option. "If it wasn't for the wide spread of qat in Yemen, we would have seen the use of drugs at least ten times more than what it is today. In neighboring countries, it has become a phenomenon to their economies and fatal to their lives." According to a study conducted by the Yemen Polling center, over 21 percent of Yemenis don't have enough money to buy food for their families. Even though Yemeni people do not tend to be heavy users of any other drugs other than qat, Yemen is still a major route in taking drugs to different countries in the region. "The coast line of the country is very long, which makes it an easy route for many drug dealers to enter the substance in the country. Even though security forces re guarding the coastline, dealers still find ways to enter drugs in the country one way or another," said Azazi. Considering the strategic location of Yemen, drugs are usually shipped from Southeast Asia through the Gulf of Aden and other coasts around the country. From there, they can be shipped to numerous gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and other countries in the region. Most of the country's drugs naturally pass through the cities nearest to the sea. Hodeidah and Aden and Sana'a are among the major places in the country where drugs can be found. Aden is also considered to have the highest number of drug users in the country, according to local observers. Drugs are often sold in clubs, certain hotels, or occasionally, you will notice prostitutes themselves selling drugs, therefore attracting more customers, and being in a position to influence the use of drugs among local who contact them. These customers by time ask for more as time goes on. Hashish is 30 to 50 times more expensive than qat. Cocaine on the other hand, has fewer users yet, the number is increasing dramatically, especially among the wealthy of the society. "It spreads quicker and quicker by the day. One would not believe the dangers of its spread until it reaches his own beloved ones," said Ali Saleh al-Salami, a father who caught his son using hashis, three years ago while chewing qat. He never believed that his own family would be affected by the spread of drugs." I realized that the money that I used to give him, was the cause to try drugs in the beginning and than use them on a regular basis," he adds. The drugs in Yemen are sold at the same price as in other countries in the region, even though the economic situation in the country is poorer. According to drug experts in Yemen, the amount spent on drugs in Yemen on a monthly basis exceeds YR180,000, or $800, twice the yearly domestic income for an average Yemeni citizen. Over the last four years, the government has started awareness programs against drugs, in an effort to crack down on their spread around the country. Workshops have been conducted, and booklets have been passed out in schools. Officials hope that soon, these efforts will bear fruit, and fewer people ever before will try drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman