ظاهرة تعاطي المخدرات في المجتمع الليبي: قراءة سوسيولوجية تحليلية في ضوء نظرية الفرصة المتباينة

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of drug use and trafficking in Libyan society in light of the Differential Opportunity Theory, as one of the growing social issues linked to recent structural and cultural transformations. This phenomenon now poses a serious threat to psychological, social, economic, and legal security, and negatively affects the path of sustainable development. The study is based on the hypothesis that the motives behind drug-related crimes will persist as long as their underlying objective and subjective causes remain unaddressed— particularly the absence of legitimate fulfillment of essential needs, which makes drugs a deviant functional alternative. The deductive approach was used to examine the theoretical framework, applying the logic of differential opportunity theory to understand the social context that produces this phenomenon. The findings reveal that a combination of political, economic, social, security, and religious factors—both internal and external—has contributed to the spread of the problem by creating a fertile ground for deviance, weakening social justice, and eroding control structures . The study recommends adopting comprehensive preventive policies that address these structural causes and dry up the roots of the phenomenon, with a particular focus on protecting and empowering youth both cognitively and socially from involvement in drug use or trafficking networks.