Addiction Under Occupation; The Reality of Drug Use in Palestine [Meta Episode]
Guest Speakers: Ala Owaineh and Hajer Karoui
In this episode titled “Addiction Under Occupation; The Reality of Drug Use in Palestine”, Ala and Hajer discuss what they learnt following their discussion with Dr. Nader Jebril, a doctor and psychologist specialising in addiction, about the reality of drug use in Palestine.
The conversation begins with a brief insight into the history and geography of Palestine. Then, Ala and Hajer shared how Dr. Jebril defined the current state of substance use in Palestine, and the rising number of cases, particularly among young people. It is made clear that stigma and social denial have had immense impacts on how substance use is addressed in Palestine, often preventing individuals from seeking help and delaying institutional recognition of the issue.
This then leads to Ala and Hajer explaining how regional differences impact daily life, particularly due to the different types of ID cards held by Palestinians in various areas. These ID distinctions—whether issued in the West Bank, Gaza, or East Jerusalem—affect movement, access to healthcare, and legal status, all of which play a role in shaping how individuals experience and respond to substance use and treatment options.
Ala and Hajer then touch upon how the Israeli occupation has influenced drug availability and trafficking in Palestine. Specifically, it has facilitated the spread of drugs in areas and allowed trafficking networks to exploit border restrictions.
Focusing on treatment, our hosts explain the different treatment options avaliable, and how centres such as the one Dr Jebril works in, is making a difference in substance misuse and addiction care in Palestine. However, this is not without addressing the barriers to treatment.
This episode is particularly important given the current climate, as ongoing conflict, economic instability, and social challenges continue to shape the reality of substance use in Palestine, making open conversations and accessible treatment more crucial than ever.
Listen now on Spotify in Arabic and English
Resources:
Uncomfortably Numb: Inside Gaza’s Opioid Addiction Crisis - Aljazeera
Addicted to Mr Nice Guy in Jerusalem's no-man's land
Papers:
Pattern of substance use among schoolchildren in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
Having trouble accessing any of the links? Contact us at cravingclaritygroup@gmail.com, and we will be happy to provide it for you!