Tunisia Faces a Sharp Rise in Youth Drug Addiction, Experts Warn

Tunisian specialists are raising urgent concerns over a dramatic surge in drug addiction among young people, noting that the number of youth addicts has increased fivefold over the past decade. Researchers link this escalation to rising school dropout rates, persistent unemployment and growing family instability.

Sociologist Khalifa Al-Qarbi told Mosaique FM that the situation has reached a “deeply alarming” stage. He stressed that public efforts remain too focused on treatment, arguing that substantial investment in prevention is now essential to curb the spread of addiction.

Figures from the National Institute of Statistics highlight the scale of the shift: the percentage of young people addicted to drugs rose from 1.3 percent in 2013 to 8.9 percent in 2023. Adolescents aged 13 to 18 are the most affected, with the average age of addiction starting at 17 years and three months. Studies also show that girls account for 30 percent of young addicts, while 40 percent are still in school.

Hichem Hajji, a member of the National Bureau of the Tunisian Organisation for Education and Family, said that security crackdowns—despite their contribution to reducing trafficking—are “insufficient” to address the accelerating crisis. He called for broader community-driven approaches, including vocational integration, skills training and expanded access to sports and recreational activities, to address the root causes that leave young people vulnerable to drug use.