Cannabis Reported as Most Abused Drug in Egypt
Cannabis is the most commonly abused drug in Egypt, followed by tramadol, heroin, and synthetic drugs, according to the latest figures from Egypt’s Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse.
The Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse has revealed new statistics on drug abuse in Egypt following the launch of its national campaign, ‘Hayatak El Gedida Mehtagha Azima’ ("Your New Life Needs Determination"). Based on calls received through the fund’s 16023 addiction treatment hotline, cannabis use accounted for 51% of all substance abuse cases among callers seeking treatment. Other commonly reported substances included tramadol, heroin, and synthetic drugs such as Strox, Voodoo, powder-based narcotics, and crystal meth (shabu).
The fund noted that 37% of calls came from individuals struggling with addiction themselves, while the rest were made by concerned family members—most commonly mothers—along with spouses, siblings and friends. Officials view this as a positive sign of increasing public trust in the fund’s network of treatment centres, particularly following the visibility of its latest awareness campaign.
The ‘Hayatak El Gedida Mehtagha Azima’ campaign has reached a wide audience online, with over 3.5 million views across the fund’s official social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
According to the hotline’s data, the main factors motivating individuals to seek help include a desire to improve self-image, concerns about the future, family pressure, preparation for marriage, fear of harm to their children, financial hardship, deteriorating health, and social stigma.
The campaign also highlighted the scope of Egypt’s Azima rehabilitation centres, which feature a wide range of facilities including in-patient wards, outpatient clinics, gyms, five-a-side football pitches, music and arts halls, computer labs, a library, dining halls, and vocational training workshops. These centres also offer "work therapy" programmes to equip recovering patients with practical skills tailored to the local job market.
The hotline service—16023—is free, confidential, and operates 24/7, forming a key part of Egypt’s national strategy to combat addiction
