Egyptian circles have been living in a state of great controversy for hours, following a statement made by a former official regarding the presence of chocolate sold in the country’s major and famous commercial markets despite it containing a narcotic substance, which prompted the Ministry of Interior to enter the crisis line immediately.
Dr. Gaber Gad Nassar, the former president of Cairo University, announced that, following careful examination, it became clear to him that the reason for the positive analysis of drugs for some non-smokers sometimes, including officials and personalities in prestigious positions, is the consumption of one of the chocolate products imported from abroad, which contains the poppy plant in its ingredients. .
Examinations at the request of the state caused a disaster!
Nassar explained in a post on his personal account on Facebook, that for a long time, many complained to him, including those who occupy important positions and jobs, some of which require the authorities to which they belong suddenly analyze drug abuse, and it is clear from the results of the analysis that the result of their samples is positive for cannabis drug, which is what Expose them to harsh penalties up to dismissal from the job even though they do not even smoke cigarettes.
He also continued that he discovered by chance that there is a product sold in markets, major malls, and various petrol stations, which is a (chocolate) candy whose ingredients contain a percentage of the poppy drug, and this is something that has become permissible in most European countries and America, adding, which explains the phenomenon, calling on everyone to be careful. Especially since it is subject to punishment.
A picture of the narcotic poppy, from which opium is extracted
The former president of Cairo University also published some posters regarding these products, which indicated that they actually contain the poppy plant, which is the main source of narcotics such as opium, heroin and morphine.
A crime within the crime of abuse
Following the controversy, Al-Arabiya.net contacted the former official, and he explained that drugs such as hashish, opium, and poppies are now available for consumption according to the law in European countries and America, and there is no crime in that, and therefore the presence of poppies in chocolate there is not considered a crime, while the use in Egypt is a crime, and eating these types of imported chocolate is a crime of abuse.
He added that there are personalities who take on sensitive jobs and with them are university students whose work requires periodic checks, which exposed them to harsh punishments without guilt.
He added that this actually prompted him to search behind evidence proving their innocence, by knowing what the subject ate of food and drink a week before the analysis, so it became clear that the reason for the positive analysis in many cases is the consumption of this type of chocolate.
After research, it was actually found from the ingredients that they contain a narcotic substance, and another surprise from the product labels was discovered that they contain the narcotic poppy plant at a rate of 2.3%, without any warning of that or what alerts the buyer to the presence of these substances.
The Ministry of the Interior enters the crisis line
While Nassar’s publication caused a state of wide controversy in Egyptian circles, necessitating the intervention of the authorities in a hurry, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior revealed the truth regarding what was circulated regarding the presence of chocolate with drugs sold in the markets.
She stated that some poppy seeds are included in the components of some foodstuffs and are processed before use to ensure that they are free of narcotics.
It also announced that it had withdrawn samples of the aforementioned chocolate for analysis to ensure that it conformed to international standards.
Decisions to reduce the phenomenon
It is noteworthy that the former President of Cairo University, Dr. Gaber Gad Nassar, was wondering regarding the reason for the circulation and entry of such chocolate despite its danger to the markets, especially since its components include narcotic substances, calling for the imposition of restrictions on the entry and circulation of these dangerous products.
Last year, the Egyptian authorities revealed the results of the committee to detect drug abuse among workers in institutions, bodies and directorates affiliated with ministries and government departments in the governorates of Egypt, where it was found that 2.5% of narcotic substances were abused, and the most prominent substances of abuse were hashish, tramadol and morphine.
In front of the Egyptian Ministry of Interior
While the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, in June of 2021 approved the law on dismissing government employees who use drugs, following the House of Representatives approved the law.
According to the text of the law, government employees, if a sudden analysis is performed, must disclose before it is performed all the drugs they are taking, whether they affect the result or not, and the penalty is termination of service following the positive sample is confirmed in the analysis.
