Jordan’s Shifting Drug Crime Patterns: Rising Possession, Mixed Trends in Trafficking
Jordan Daily – Drug crimes in Jordan have witnessed a significant surge over the past ten years.However, amidst this concerning trend, a glimmer of hope emerges as a report reveals a decline in drug crimes during the last two years, with rates dropping by 4.7% in 2021 and 4.1% in 2022.
According to a recent report “Knowledge is Power” released by the Jordanian Strategies Forum,(JSF), the issue of this decline serves as a positive indicator, reflecting the commendable efforts made by various concerned entities at the national level.
The results also reveal that the number of drug possession and usage crimes surpasses that of drug trafficking crimes, although there has been a consecutive decline in the former over the past three years. Conversely, drug trafficking crimes have consistently shown an upward trend over the past five years.
Furthermore, the report highlights the indicator of the number of drug crimes per 10,000 individuals. The results demonstrate a significant increase in this ratio from 9 crimes in 2013 to 16 crimes in 2014. The highest point was reached in 2020 with 19 crimes, after which it decreased to approximately 16 crimes per 10,000 individuals in 2022.
The forum stressed the need for stakeholders, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Ministry of Health, and others, to conduct in-depth scientific research on this issue and its societal consequences. Such research plays a crucial role in mitigating the spread of this affliction.
Furthermore, it is vital to allocate dedicated treatment centers for individuals affected by addiction and establish comprehensive post-recovery programs that encompass both medical and behavioral support.These individuals should be closely monitored by relevant institutions, as the challenges faced by recent recovering addicts in reintegrating into their families and communities contribute significantly to relapse and drug dependency recurrence.
