Addiction Under Occupation; The Reality of Drug Use in Palestine

15 Feb

Guest Speaker: Dr. Nader Jebril

In this episode titled “Addiction Under Occupation; The Reality of Drug Use in Palestine”, Ala and Hajer talk to Dr. Nader Jebril, a doctor and psychologist specialising in addiction, about the reality of drug use in Palestine. A meta episode in English discussing this episode can be found here.

The conversation begins with Dr. Jebril defining the current state of substance use in Palestine. He explains that while official data on drug use remains limited, reports from non-governmental organisation (NGOs) suggest a rising number of cases, particularly among young people. Additionally, he highlights how 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.

Importantly, Dr. Jebril explains when the Palestinian authorities and the wider community began recognising drug abuse in Palestine as a problem, as well as the changes that contributed to that recognition. He mentioned numerous factors that contribute to drug misuse behaviour developing in Palestine, such as injury, mental health, and the ongoing conflict.

Focusing on regional differences, Dr. Jebril describes how drug use, trafficking, and treatment options vary between the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem. Each area faces unique challenges, particularly due to differing levels of law enforcement, political control, and economic conditions.

The conversation then moves to discuss 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.

On the topic of treatment, Dr. Jebril sheds light on the available treatment options and how rehabilitation centers in Palestine are funded. He explains the roles of the Palestinian Authority, NGOs, and international donors in supporting these facilities and ensuring access to care.

Additionally, the discussion highlights the barriers to treatment, including stigma, financial constraints, and limited availability of specialized centers. Dr. Jebril emphasizes that treatment is available to anyone seeking help, even amidst the ongoing conflict and Israeli occupation,

Finally, Dr. Jebril shares how women are affected by substance misuse in Palestine and how their experiences with addiction and treatment differ from men’s.

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