Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa affirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening a reformative and preventive approach in addressing drug-related issues, particularly those affecting minors, by improving the quality of services provided and reintegrating them into society in accordance with international standards and the best interests of the child.
اضافة اعلان
A Unified Procedures Guide – First of Its Kind
Bani Mustafa explained that the ministry’s mission focuses on delivering the best services to vulnerable groups requiring protection and care, following a fair participatory approach that promotes social development through institutional performance improvement, efficient resource utilization, and building effective local and international partnerships. She highlighted that cooperation between the ministry and the Justice Center from 2020 to 2025 resulted in a successful project supporting national efforts to combat drug addiction and protect the community, with a special focus on youth.
One of the project’s key achievements was the development of the Unified Operational Procedures Guide for juvenile rehabilitation and care centers—the first of its kind in Jordan. The guide provides clear mechanisms for addressing cases of substance use and addiction among detained and convicted minors, applying case management and the principle of the best interests of the child to enhance protection, reform, and reintegration.
Strengthening Alternative Sentences and Institutional Rehabilitation
The project also contributed to enhancing the implementation of alternative non-custodial measures through specialized training workshops, establishing an accreditation system for alternative sentencing programs, and creating a policy document for accrediting implementing institutions, in line with international best practices and the context of juvenile justice in Jordan.
Bani Mustafa noted that technical support was provided to three civil society institutions to develop non-custodial programs, alongside updating work procedures and protocols at the Ministry’s Child Behavior Modification and Rehabilitation Center.
The minister praised national efforts to combat drugs, highlighting the role of the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army and the Public Security Directorate in this area, and emphasized the importance of partnerships with civil society organizations to implement educational and rehabilitative programs that ensure protection and social and humanitarian support.
Hadeel Abdul Aziz, Executive Director of the Justice Center for Legal Aid, outlined the project’s goals and achievements in awareness, training, and procedural guide development. French Ambassador Frank Gille and Colonel Raad Tabtah, Deputy Director of the Anti-Drug Department, stressed the importance of cooperation and partnership to ensure the project’s success.
The event concluded with a short film documenting the project’s implementation stages and honoring partner organizations for their role in supporting and executing the initiative.
