Politics
Drugs: A Silent Weapon Threatening National Security from Within
National Security
Dr. Khalid Abdel-Ghaffar Al-Bayati
USPA NEWS -
Introduction
In conventional wars, the enemy and bullets are known, and battle lines are drawn on maps. But in the war against drugs, the scene is completely different. Here, you do not hear the roar of cannons, nor see columns of tanks; instead, the danger silently infiltrates, carried on a white powder or a deadly liquid, targeting the individual before the state. Drugs are not merely a social plague or an individual illness, but a strategic weapon in the hands of organized crime networks and transnational terrorist arms, working to weaken human infrastructure and dismantle national cohesion (1). It is an internal battle where the citizen becomes the battlefield, and national awareness is the first line of defense.
In conventional wars, the enemy and bullets are known, and battle lines are drawn on maps. But in the war against drugs, the scene is completely different. Here, you do not hear the roar of cannons, nor see columns of tanks; instead, the danger silently infiltrates, carried on a white powder or a deadly liquid, targeting the individual before the state. Drugs are not merely a social plague or an individual illness, but a strategic weapon in the hands of organized crime networks and transnational terrorist arms, working to weaken human infrastructure and dismantle national cohesion (1). It is an internal battle where the citizen becomes the battlefield, and national awareness is the first line of defense.
Drugs as an Unconventional Weapon
Drugs have ceased to be just a forbidden trade pursued for profit; they have turned into a tool in unconventional wars aimed at destroying states from within. International reports have revealed that drug trafficking networks are an important source of funding for terrorist groups, and some hostile powers may flood the markets of certain countries with drugs to weaken their youth and occupy their security apparatuses from external threats (2). This is a war without clear fronts, waged covertly by targeting minds before bodies, until societal will collapses and national immunity weakens.
Drugs have ceased to be just a forbidden trade pursued for profit; they have turned into a tool in unconventional wars aimed at destroying states from within. International reports have revealed that drug trafficking networks are an important source of funding for terrorist groups, and some hostile powers may flood the markets of certain countries with drugs to weaken their youth and occupy their security apparatuses from external threats (2). This is a war without clear fronts, waged covertly by targeting minds before bodies, until societal will collapses and national immunity weakens.
Social Effects of Drugs
Drugs cause a deep fracture in social structures. The addict does not only destroy himself but also destroys his family and breaks the human bonds around him. Many cases of family disintegration and homelessness are linked to addiction, along with increasing crime rates such as theft, murder, and various assaults (3). Most alarmingly, the primary targets are often the youth, the backbone of society, leading to the transformation of an entire generation from productive force to a social and economic burden, lacking motivation and ambition, and easily exploited by crime or terrorist groups.
Drugs cause a deep fracture in social structures. The addict does not only destroy himself but also destroys his family and breaks the human bonds around him. Many cases of family disintegration and homelessness are linked to addiction, along with increasing crime rates such as theft, murder, and various assaults (3). Most alarmingly, the primary targets are often the youth, the backbone of society, leading to the transformation of an entire generation from productive force to a social and economic burden, lacking motivation and ambition, and easily exploited by crime or terrorist groups.
Economic Effects
Economically, drugs are a silent hemorrhage consuming state resources. The costs of addiction treatment, funding rehabilitation programs, and managing security campaigns constitute a significant financial burden. Moreover, addicts often leave the workforce or perform their jobs with low efficiency, reducing national productivity and negatively impacting the GDP (4). The loss of human capital — the most important element in development — weakens the state's ability to compete economically and makes it more vulnerable to crises.
Economically, drugs are a silent hemorrhage consuming state resources. The costs of addiction treatment, funding rehabilitation programs, and managing security campaigns constitute a significant financial burden. Moreover, addicts often leave the workforce or perform their jobs with low efficiency, reducing national productivity and negatively impacting the GDP (4). The loss of human capital — the most important element in development — weakens the state's ability to compete economically and makes it more vulnerable to crises.
Impact on National Security
The spread of drugs poses a direct threat to national security. Security agencies become preoccupied with combating internal threats at the expense of monitoring external dangers. Drug trafficking routes are also used for smuggling weapons or infiltrating terrorist elements, turning the threat from a mere social risk into a comprehensive national security threat (5). The spread of addiction creates an unstable environment that increases societal fragility, opens the door for foreign interventions, and undermines stability.
The spread of drugs poses a direct threat to national security. Security agencies become preoccupied with combating internal threats at the expense of monitoring external dangers. Drug trafficking routes are also used for smuggling weapons or infiltrating terrorist elements, turning the threat from a mere social risk into a comprehensive national security threat (5). The spread of addiction creates an unstable environment that increases societal fragility, opens the door for foreign interventions, and undermines stability.
Successful International Experiences
Some countries have presented inspiring models to confront this phenomenon. In Colombia, decisive security strikes against gangs were combined with providing agricultural and economic alternatives to farmers, which reduced the area of narcotic plant cultivation. Malaysia adopted a comprehensive policy based on rehabilitating addicts and integrating them into the labor market, which contributed to a tangible reduction in addiction rates (6). These experiences confirm that successful confrontation requires integration between security deterrence and social and economic solutions.
Some countries have presented inspiring models to confront this phenomenon. In Colombia, decisive security strikes against gangs were combined with providing agricultural and economic alternatives to farmers, which reduced the area of narcotic plant cultivation. Malaysia adopted a comprehensive policy based on rehabilitating addicts and integrating them into the labor market, which contributed to a tangible reduction in addiction rates (6). These experiences confirm that successful confrontation requires integration between security deterrence and social and economic solutions.
Conclusion
Drugs are not merely a health problem or an individual crime but a strategic threat to national security that rivals any military aggression in severity. They ravage humans, weaken productive energy, and create a fragile society prone to penetration. While armies protect the country's borders, protecting minds and bodies from drugs is protecting the essence and spirit of the nation.
Confronting this danger requires strong national will and a comprehensive plan starting from deterrent legislation, passing through awareness campaigns in schools and universities, and reaching regional and international cooperation to dry up the sources of trafficking. Effective rehabilitation programs must also be provided to return addicts to the path of productivity and work.
Remaining silent before the advance of this silent danger is, in fact, a concession of the country's security and future. If we want to write a new history, let its beginning be a clear national decision: No place for drugs in our land, and no future for them among our youth to protect our national security.
Drugs are not merely a health problem or an individual crime but a strategic threat to national security that rivals any military aggression in severity. They ravage humans, weaken productive energy, and create a fragile society prone to penetration. While armies protect the country's borders, protecting minds and bodies from drugs is protecting the essence and spirit of the nation.
Confronting this danger requires strong national will and a comprehensive plan starting from deterrent legislation, passing through awareness campaigns in schools and universities, and reaching regional and international cooperation to dry up the sources of trafficking. Effective rehabilitation programs must also be provided to return addicts to the path of productivity and work.
Remaining silent before the advance of this silent danger is, in fact, a concession of the country's security and future. If we want to write a new history, let its beginning be a clear national decision: No place for drugs in our land, and no future for them among our youth to protect our national security.
References
1. Abdallah, Mohamed Abdelkader. *Drugs and Organized Crime: Security Challenges in the Arab World*. Cairo: Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, 2019.
2. Naif Arab University for Security Sciences. *Drugs and Their Impact on National Security: Field Studies*. Riyadh: Security Research Center, 2020.
3. Abdulrahman, Nasser. *National Security and Its Non-Traditional Threats*. Beirut: Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, 2021.
4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). *World Drug Report 2023*. Vienna: UNODC, 2023.
5. Reuter, Peter, and Franz Trautmann. *A Report on Global Illicit Drug Markets 1998–2007*. European Commission, 2009.
6. Felbab-Brown, Vanda. *Drugs, Security, and Development: How Illicit Economies Threaten Our World*. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2010.
1. Abdallah, Mohamed Abdelkader. *Drugs and Organized Crime: Security Challenges in the Arab World*. Cairo: Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, 2019.
2. Naif Arab University for Security Sciences. *Drugs and Their Impact on National Security: Field Studies*. Riyadh: Security Research Center, 2020.
3. Abdulrahman, Nasser. *National Security and Its Non-Traditional Threats*. Beirut: Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, 2021.
4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). *World Drug Report 2023*. Vienna: UNODC, 2023.
5. Reuter, Peter, and Franz Trautmann. *A Report on Global Illicit Drug Markets 1998–2007*. European Commission, 2009.
6. Felbab-Brown, Vanda. *Drugs, Security, and Development: How Illicit Economies Threaten Our World*. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2010.
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