The use of psychoactive substances for recreational, social and medical purposes in the Arab world goes back to prehistoric times. Some authors believe that cannabis was discovered on an Egyptian site dating back to between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. However, evidence of a continuous history of cannabis use in this country seems to be lacking. According to modern Arabic historians, the cannabis plant was reintroduced into Egypt around the middle of the twelfth century A. D., coinciding with the influx into Egypt of mystic devotees coming from Syria. The most recent evidence of drug abuse among the young shows that new patterns and trends are emerging.
Drug abuse is initiated at an earlier age than in the past.
Unlike traditional drug consumption , confined to a small number of people from certain population groups, current drug abuse involves young people from all socio-economic strata of society. An increasing number of psychotropic and other drugs is available and the pattern of multiple drug abuse is becoming widespread. A considerable number of people, particularly among the young, are departing from the traditional socio-cultural norms of society and such developments may be associated with the increased abuse of drugs. Most of the young drug users feel rejected by their parents, and they reject their parents too, having no clear idea of what they want to do. Drug abuse among young people is associated with their uncertainty, insecurity and frustration , and has become one of the major vehicles for expressing anger.