Adopting a security approach to secure borders and dismantle criminal networks

The President of the National People’s Assembly, Ibrahim Boughali, appreciated the legal system approved by the Algerian legislator to criminalize drug trafficking and promotion, while adopting the principle of health and treatment care for addicts as victims, praising the efforts made by the security services, led by the People’s National Army, in securing the borders and dismantling criminal networks.

In his speech on the occasion of the opening of the parliamentary day, “Preventing the threat of drugs to society and treating addiction,” which was organized by the Youth, Sports and Association Activities Committee on Tuesday, and read on his behalf by the Vice President of the Council, Ahmed Mawaz, Bogali stressed that choosing this topic reflects the awareness of the people’s representatives of the magnitude of the challenges facing society, especially the youth group, as they are the pillar of the present and the bet of the future, stressing that the scourge of drugs is no longer just a health or social problem, but has turned into a complex national challenge that affects the stability of the state and the cohesion of society.

Bogali highlighted that addiction is a phenomenon that crosses borders, changes forms and is linked to profound economic, social and cultural transformations, explaining that field studies have revealed that addiction is no longer a marginal behavior or an individual deviation, but rather an indicator of structural imbalances that require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional security solutions.

The President of the Council noted that addiction is a chronic, multi-dimensional disease whose origins are intertwined with psychological, social and economic factors, which makes any policy that does not take into account this complexity have limited impact. He pointed out that the spread of addiction reflects the fragility of some social structures, most notably the family, school and the collective movement. He also stressed the necessity of reviewing legal texts to keep pace with new transformations, in order to achieve a balance between deterrence and protecting public health, and between punishment and reintegration.

Boghali called for adopting a proactive security approach based on intelligence work, institutional coordination, and strengthening regional and international cooperation, highlighting that prevention remains the main bet for any effective policy, through integrating health and psychological education into the educational system and directing the media towards a responsible awareness-raising discourse.

The President of the National People’s Assembly stressed the importance of developing addiction treatment centers and ensuring the professional and social reintegration of those recovering, highlighting the role of the nation’s representatives in enacting laws, monitoring the implementation of public policies, and evaluating their effectiveness. He concluded by affirming the Council’s commitment to continuing to upgrade the legislative system and supporting all initiatives aimed at building a cohesive Algerian society governed by law.

For his part, Chairman of the Youth, Sports and Collective Activities Committee, Mazari Bouziane, stressed that Algeria faces a complex societal challenge that goes beyond being a passing phenomenon, as it has serious repercussions on individual health, family cohesion, and community security and stability. He highlighted that drugs are now targeting the youth group in renewed ways, exploiting psychological fragility, emptiness, and unemployment, in addition to using the digital space as a means of promotion and polarization, which calls for a comprehensive and multidimensional approach.

The Chairman of the Committee stressed that the focus on prevention reflects awareness of its importance as a first line of defense, as a sustainable public policy that starts from the family and is strengthened through schools, media, religious institutions, and youth and sports spaces.
In this context, the Chairman of the Committee called for the adoption of a humane approach to treating addiction, which views the addict as a patient who needs care, treatment and reintegration. He praised the Algerian legal framework and the efforts made by the state, stressing in the same context the pivotal role of civil society as an effective partner in prevention and building an awareness-raising discourse close to the concerns of young people, leading to the formulation of practical recommendations that can be embodied.