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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 February 2000 Issue No. 469 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 February 2000 Issue No. 469
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Offering a connection
By Amina Elbendary"Drug addiction is one of the most serious dilemmas we have to deal with in contemporary societies," warns Jawad Fatayer, professor of psychology at the American University in Cairo. Egypt is, of course, no exception. In fact, experts point to an overwhelming increase in drug abuse, particularly among younger generations, and especially with the phenomenal spread of bango, a cheap, easy-to-grow form of marijuana.
Shunned by society, hurting, alone except for a substance that only makes things worse; life is hard for a drug addict. Addicts often feel isolated from the people they love. Consequently, the first and important part of treatment is for them to realise and admit that they have a problem, and then to reach out for help. The Anti-Drug Fund, which is under the supervision of the National Council for Social and Criminological Research and the National Council for Combating and Treating Drug Addiction and Abuse, has established a new service which helps in that aspect. A telephone hotline has been set up to answer questions relating to drugs and addiction. Available to any caller, the hotline aims at providing correct information and much-needed assistance.
According to Soheir Lutfi, director of the National Council for Combating and Treating Drug Addiction and Abuse, and chairperson of the Anti-Drug Fund, the hotline service began a trial period in July and August 1999. Due to the response, the Fund decided to extend this programme for a year starting in November 1999. Their ambition is to make it a regular part of their programme. The main aim of the fund's programmes, including the hotline, is to promote awareness, provide correct information and guidance on drug related issues.
Dr Isis Badawi, director of the Community Service Association, a non-governmental organisation, finds the idea of a hotline encouraging, because it could provide "accurate information to people in trouble as opposed to admonishment and insults," which addicts often face when they admit they have a problem. It could provide assistance and much-needed help to people in extremely stressful situations. "It opens the door to addicts to come forward and share their experience and recognise that they are not the only ones in trouble," adds Fatayer.
PIPE DREAMS: The problem of how to prevent narcotic use has engaged the authorities' intellectual capacities for decades, but at mid-century the issue was often taken more lightly than it is today.
"Egypt's security has been plagued in recent times by the enormous quantities of hashish and opium flooding the country, despite stringent measures to curtail the import of these deadly drugs," reads an article in Image magazine, dated 29 July 1950.
"We are doing all we can to stop the passage of narcotics across the Egyptian borders," declared Major-General Munsif Mahmoud Pasha, head of the Coast Guard, "but the smugglers are always inventing new and crafty ways of outwitting us."
Dealers even took the time to manufacture special wrappings for their merchandise, inspired by current events.
The most sought-after brand of hashish was "Churchill", although at one point, in 1940, it had been superseded by "Hitler".
Less politically-oriented packaging was designed to attract music lovers and race goers, but there was also a version for purists, featuring Ramses II on his chariot. <
Indeed, the hotline receives calls from both drug addicts and their relatives. Parents and siblings often call to ask for help in dealing with addicts in their families. Other parents ask for advice in helping their children avoid the traps of drug abuse or information on how to discover if a person is addicted to drugs. Many drug abusers request information on treatment and recovery.
Interestingly, many of the calls the hotline receives come from governorates outside of Cairo -- further proof that drug-related problems are not confined to the capital, or even urban areas in general. It is Lutfi's hope that the programme will develop to include local branches and hotlines in each of the provinces, to be run by local experts.
Despite all the potential benefits of having a hotline specifically dedicated to drug abuse, Fatayer also has reservations. Such phone calls are a very serious matter, he cautions. They could very well not help a caller, and even cause damage to people already in deep pain. By offering misleading information or by simply not knowing how to react to a particularly complex situation, hotline operators can cause more damage. In countries like the United States, for example, hotlines in general are often handled by volunteers who did not receive sufficient training. Fatayer argues that addicts are vulnerable and looking for any type of assistance. Therefore, he insists that drug hotlines should be handled by trained specialists in the field.
Lutfi asserts that the hotline is handled by experienced professionals in psychology, psychiatric medicine, sociology, and law. All are specialised in problems of drug abuse. She adamantly refused to provide any specific information on the backgrounds and, especially, the identities of the operators. She believes their identities should be kept secret because of the sensitivity of their roles and their relationship with the callers. Indeed, both Fatayer and Badawi assert that confidentiality is paramount in dealing with drug addicts. The fact that the hotline is supervised by the national council lends the service a great deal of credibility. It should encourage those in need to trust it.
Hotline counsellors work two shifts a day, seven days a week. Each shift includes two female and two male counsellors. Some callers feel more comfortable talking to a woman. Some ask for further advice and are then referred to the next operator. The idea is to be able to hear different opinions and different people's experiences. The feedback is so encouraging that counsellors often work beyond their shifts. Perhaps one day a 24-hour hotline will be available at any time to help those in need.
Many people are obviously making use of this service. However, because of the stigma attached to drug abuse and the emotional stress they live under, many addicts fear that any personal information they reveal could be used against them. Therefore, Lutfi, in the interest of confidentiality, refuses to divulge any information on the backgrounds of callers. From his long experience in dealing with drug addicts both in the United States and here in Egypt, Fatayer surmises that more women are probably calling. Why? He explains that because of deeply entrenched biases against women in Egyptian and Arab societies, female addicts suffer double discrimination. The stigma against addiction is compounded in the case of female addicts who, by virtue of their being women, are viewed as custodians of honour and therefore are reproached doubly for sins such as drug abuse. Mothers always deny that any of their children are on drugs -- at least at first. While a mother may eventually concede that her son is an addict, however, she will always insist "but not my daughter," adds Fatayer. There is more shame for women addicts, which makes the road to treatment, let alone recovery, even more difficult. Hence, more women could be tempted to try this strings-free service, thanks to which they are less likely to expect severe censure and contempt. Younger addicts may hesitate about calling, suggests Fatayer, but most will eventually take the risk. On the other hand, addicts older than 30 would tend to hesitate before calling unless they have information about the service that allows them to trust it. Similarly, addicts who cannot afford treatment might be attracted to this easy, free service. And herein lies a catch.
Dr Badawi insists that a hotline is "not a substitute for long-term therapy." It is paramount that callers know that treatment cannot be a phone call away. Addicts need to develop a personal relationship with their therapist. "You can't offer treatment over the phone," agrees Fatayer, "you can only offer a connection." With this in mind, hotline counsellors also discuss treatment options with callers and guide them toward the most suitable government-sponsored rehabilitation hospitals and centres where they can find adequate assistance.
Hotlines for people in distress are a relatively new phenomenon in Egypt. One that is specifically dedicated to drug abuse is a welcome addition to the tools currently available to face this incredibly complicated dilemma, of which the greater part is caused by ignorance. People who are ignorant of the true emotional and health hazards of drug abuse are those most likely to become addicts. Addicts most ignorant of the treatment alternatives available to them are the least likely to seek help. Promoting accurate information on drug-related issues is the cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy in dealing with this dilemma. The road to treatment and rehabilitation is arduous and long. But, thanks to services such as the new hotline, the first step can be a simple phone call away.
Drug abuse assistance hotline:
304 1948 / 305 1841, every day from 10am-2pm and 5pm-10pm
