The scourge of drugs and addiction constitutes a national threat primarily targeting youth, now requiring an anticipatory, preventive and security-based approach founded on intersectoral coordination. This is what Brahim Boughali, president of the People’s National Assembly (APN), stated this Tuesday.
Mr. Boughali affirmed that “the phenomenon of drugs and addiction can no longer be considered a simple health or social issue, but now constitutes an overall national threat,” with security, legal, social and health ramifications, directly targeting Algerian youth, “the pillar of the present and the foundation of the future.”
This position was expressed in a speech read on his behalf by Ahmed Mouaz, vice‑president of the APN, at the opening of the parliamentary day entitled “Preventing the danger of drugs on society and addressing addiction,” organized by the committee on youth, sports and associative activity, in the presence of academics, experts and specialists.
The president of the APN welcomed the choice of the theme of this parliamentary meeting, considering that it is “a vital subject, reflecting genuine awareness on the part of the representatives of the nation of the scale of the challenges facing Algerian society, particularly its youth.”
He stressed that this day is being held in “a national, regional and international context marked by growing complexity,” in which societies are confronted with threats affecting their social cohesion, health security and overall stability, noting that “drugs have become a cross‑border phenomenon, with evolving methods of operation, deeply linked to economic, social and cultural transformations.”
Mr. Boughali was keen to warn against addiction turning into “a complex national challenge,” stating that “Algeria is no longer confronted with simple deviant individual behaviors, but with an attempt at destabilization targeting youth and the cohesion of the State.”
He added that “certain networks are seeking to move Algeria from the status of a transit zone to that of a consumption zone, by exploiting its strategic geographical position and the extent of its borders.”
Drawing on studies and research conducted among young people, the president of the APN explained that “addiction reveals major structural imbalances in the relationship between the individual, society and the State,” emphasizing that these findings “demonstrate the limits of certain public policies and require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional security responses.”
============Prevention, a central pillar of the national strategy
He recalled that “addiction is a chronic, multidimensional disease, with intertwined psychological, social and economic causes,” whose effects impact the family, the school and the cultural environment, warning that “any policy that ignores this complexity remains partial and of limited impact.”
On the social level, Mr. Boughali considered that “the spread of addiction reflects the fragility of certain social structures,” highlighting the relevance of “placing prevention back at the heart of public policies, restoring trust between young people and institutions, and strengthening the values of citizenship and national belonging.”
In addition, the president of the APN recalled that “the Algerian legislator became aware very early of the seriousness of the phenomenon,” by putting in place a legal framework criminalizing the trafficking, promotion and possession of drugs, while tightening penalties against criminal networks.
He nevertheless stressed that “the rapid changes in the phenomenon require continuous revision of the legal texts,” in order to guarantee a balance between criminal deterrence and the protection of public health, between punishment and reintegration, advocating “the expansion of alternative sentences and an enhanced role for judges in directing users toward treatment.”
Furthermore, Mr. Boughali paid tribute to the efforts of the security services, stating that “the People’s National Army and the various security forces are carrying out considerable work in securing the borders and dismantling criminal networks.”
However, he pointed out that “the nature of the danger requires an anticipatory security approach, based on intelligence, institutional coordination and strengthened regional and international cooperation,” particularly in view of the interconnection between drugs and organized crime.
The president of the APN reaffirmed that “prevention remains the real strategic stake,” calling for “the integration of health and psychological education into the education system, the generalization of psychological support in schools and universities, as well as the provision of genuine cultural and sports facilities.”
He also called for “a scientific, responsible and ethical media discourse,” while stressing that “treatment and reintegration must constitute an inseparable pillar of public health and social protection policies.”
Mr. Boughali recalled that “the mission of MPs is not limited to legislation,” but also includes “monitoring government action, assessing the effectiveness of public policies and strengthening intersectoral coordination.” He assured that “cooperation between Parliament, universities, civil society and experts has become a strategic necessity.”
In conclusion, the president of the APN maintained that “the fight against drugs is a major test of the effectiveness of social policies,” but also “a national, ethical and legal challenge that requires collective will, evolving laws and policies based on prevention, treatment and reintegration.” He also reiterated “Parliament’s commitment to continuing to improve the legislative framework, strengthen parliamentary oversight and support all initiatives aimed at building a cohesive Algerian society, protected by values, enlightened by knowledge and governed by the rule of law.”