Rates of drug abuse among school bus drivers across Egypt have dropped to 0.2% compared to the 12% reported in 2017, according to a recent announcement from the Ministry of Social Solidarity and reports from the Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction.

Following multiple complaints to the fund’s hotline from students’ parents regarding suspected drug abuse among school bus drivers, over 228 sudden campaigns for early detection of substance abuse in schools were conducted in the first month of 2023. The campaigns targeted bus drivers in several educational institutions across the country including private universities, higher education institutes, as well as public and private schools. Meanwhile, necessary legal measures were enacted against drivers found guilty of drug abuse.

Currently, the Ministry of Social Solidarity is partnering with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education and the Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction Fund to implement the second phase of the drug control campaign in schools. This phase aims to protect preparatory and secondary students from substance abuse through creative methods and activities to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of addiction.