For many reasons ranging from weak security in its waters to its geographical position, Yemen has turned into a hub for drugs coming from southeast Asia on its way to enter other Arab countries in the region, and even to Europe and Africa.

As a country with a very bad economy, Yemen could only get worse if the a large portion of the drugs coming through Yemen stayed there, as people would risk committing major crimes just to get their hand on the addictive drug.

Yes drugs started spreading in Yemen since the early 1990's, but in very low numbers. Even the drugs used in Yemen by most are cheap in cost, though very risky and addictive like Hashish, which is even grown locally in places like Ibb.

I believe that the only reason why drugs have not spread in Yemen is because people have no way to afford it. That is why they settle for Qat, or even the more expensive Hashish. Rarely, would you find normal Yemenis using herion or cocaine, and those who use it either lived abroad or are from rich families.