Official investigations continue into the circumstances of the incident, while citizens and local associations demand the enhancement of treatment centers and the launch of broader awareness programs to curb the spread of drugs and protect the youth from their dangers.
Khaberni - A state of sadness and shock prevailed in the Algerian street following the death of a young man in Boumerdès province, east of the country, in an incident that brought the issue of drug addiction and its social and psychological effects on the youth to the forefront.
Local media reported that the young man, named Rashid Hairsh, died on the first day of Ramadan in the city of Bordj Menaiel, which belongs to Boumerdès province, east of the capital Algiers, which caused a wide wave of interaction on social media.
Activists circulated a video attributed to the young man, just hours before his departure, where he appeared in a touching video, through which he addressed sincere words to his family, friends, and everyone who knew him, seeking forgiveness and pardon, and emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and tolerance.
In his message, he urged the youth to avoid "the path of error" and stay away from drugs, and to adhere to what benefits them in their religious and worldly lives. He also revealed in the recording his struggle with addiction to hallucinogens, warning against sliding into this dark path due to its severe psychological and social effects.
The young man referred in his message to what he described as the negative effects that addiction had on his life, confirming that he spent the last months in isolation at home, amid a growing feeling of discomfort and loss of hope.
He concluded his words with a touching will saying "Do not forget me from your prayers for mercy," turning his phrase into a prayer repeated by everyone affected by his story.
The incident reignited the discussion around the growing phenomenon of drug use among certain youth circles, amidst demands for the necessity of family, school, and civil society collaboration to tackle this scourge, and for providing more effective treatment and rehabilitation centers.
Sociology experts affirm that addiction issues are often linked to complex psychological and social factors, necessitating a comprehensive approach that is not limited to the security aspect, but also includes psychological support and social integration programs.
