Amman: The Tarabot Community Center and the Tomaanah Project, both initiatives under the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), hosted an educational event on Saturday to mark World Anti-Drug Day. The event, titled "Be Stronger Than the Try," brought together experts in security, religious guidance, and mental health as part of JHCO's ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, with a specific focus on protecting young people.
According to Jordan News Agency, a theatrical performance by the Tarabot theater troupe kicked off the event, using interactive storytelling to convey the dangers of initial drug experimentation and its destructive impact on individuals, families, and wider society. The performance was followed by an open panel discussion moderated by journalist Iman Abu Qaoud. Panelists included Lieutenant Colonel Nabil Al-Rawashdeh, head of the awareness department at the Anti-Narcotics Department, who outlined the current landscape of substance abuse in Jordan and the wider region, emphasizing the critical role of early prevention and community awareness.
Addressing the religious dimension, Mufti Mohammad Hassan Al-Rawashdeh, head of the Islamic rulings department at the General Iftaa Department, stated that preserving the human mind is a core tenet of Islamic law. He noted that the prohibition of narcotics stems from the direct harm they inflict on human health, dignity, and community stability.
Tariq Dablah, a psychiatrist and founder of the Arab Therapy platform, highlighted the clinical aspects of substance abuse. Dablah urged the public to treat addiction as a complex psychological and humanitarian issue that requires therapeutic support and medical intervention rather than social stigma or alienation.
The event concluded with an interactive community art piece titled "Share Your Fingerprint," in which attendees participated to reinforce the message that combating drug abuse is a collective social responsibility rooted in awareness and positive community support.