Rabat – Moroccan authorities recorded 85,000 cases of drug-related crimes in 2017, a report on the implementation of criminal policy said on Monday.
The report noted that drug crimes increased between 2012 and 2017, from 37,985 cases.
Drug cases resulted in the arrest of 74,573 suspects in 2012, while 88,179 suspects of drug-related crimes were arrested in 2016.
Among the drugs seized during arrests were 17,190 cases of kif (a type of cannabis), 56,318 cases of chira (homemade hashish), 478 cases of cocaine, and 1,267 cases of psychotropic pills.
The report underscored the lack of health infrastructure dedicated to the treatment of drug addiction.
According to a study conducted by the Biochemistry, Nutrition and Cellular Biology Group in partnership with Casablanca’s Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2017, approximately 600,000 Moroccans are addicted to drugs, with 16,000 addicted to hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. Drug addiction is especially prevalent among 18 to 28-year-olds.
Recently, King Mohammed VI inaugurated a new center for addiction treatment in the Sidi Moumen suburb in Casablanca, initiated by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. The King also initiated the construction of a center to study addiction in the Benslimane Province.
The anti-addiction projects are part of the 2010 national program to fight drug addiction and its effects, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Interior.
