# Regional perspectives on substance use, substance use-related problems and policy: The case of Jordan. > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/regional-substance-use-patterns-jordan-policy/ > **Published:** 2026-04-20T21:07:18-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T15:57:50-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore regional substance use patterns Jordan, related problems, and policy responses in the MENA region with focus on Jordan's national context. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #50Monitored Relevance  Early-stage or contextual signal requiring further evidence before action. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal Addiction (Abingdon, England) Study Type Clinical Study Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and [clinical practice](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-reproductive-health-women-clinical-evidence/). Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary To situate Jordan within evolving Middle East and North Africa (MENA) substance-use dynamics and summarise national patterns of substance use, related harms, and policy responses, with attention to transit-to-consumption transitions, surveillance limitations, and vulnerable populations. Structured regional synthesis of government reports, peer-reviewed literature, and data from the Ministry of Health, the Anti-Narcotics Department, and international agencies. The review integrated national statistics (2019-2025) with findings from population, student, and clinical studies to outline prevalence, treatment, and regulatory contexts. Across MENA, conflict, displacement, demographic pressure, and shifting trafficking routes have coincided with expanding stimulant and pharmaceutical markets. In Jordan, a comparatively stable setting with a large youth population, available estimates suggest national substance use disorder [SUD] prevalence of ~0.9-1.7%, but substantially higher levels among s Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Regional%20perspectives%20on%20substance%20use%2C%20substance%20use-related%20problems%20and%20polic...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003428/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003428/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Regional%20perspectives%20on%20substance%20use%2C%20substance%20use-related%20problems%20and%20polic...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003428/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003428/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003428/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What was this review of substance use in Jordan trying to do?](#What_was_this_review_of_substance_use_in_Jordan_trying_to_do) - [What sources of information did the Jordan review use?](#What_sources_of_information_did_the_Jordan_review_use) - [What regional trends in drug markets did the review describe?](#What_regional_trends_in_drug_markets_did_the_review_describe) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### What was this review of substance use in Jordan trying to do? It aimed to place Jordan within changing substance use patterns across the Middle East and North Africa region. It summarized national patterns of substance use, related harms, and policy responses, with attention to shifts from drug transit to consumption, limits of surveillance, and vulnerable populations. It was published in the journal Addiction. ### What sources of information did the Jordan review use? It was a structured regional synthesis of government reports, peer-reviewed literature, and data from the Ministry of Health, the Anti-Narcotics Department, and international agencies. The review combined national statistics from 2019 to 2025 with findings from population, student, and clinical studies to outline prevalence, treatment, and regulatory contexts. ### What regional trends in drug markets did the review describe? Across the Middle East and North Africa, the review found that conflict, displacement, demographic pressure, and shifting trafficking routes have coincided with expanding stimulant and pharmaceutical markets. Jordan is described as a comparatively stable setting within this region, with a large youth population. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment Europe Review](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-europe-evidence-watch/) A comprehensive review of [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/) treatments across Europe, providing insights relevant to regional substance use policies. [Read the Review](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-use-disorder-treatment-europe-evidence-watch/) [Medical Cannabis Significantly Reduced Use of Opioids and Other Rx Drugs](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-opioid-alternatives-reduce-rx-drug-use/) Explore clinical evidence on how [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) impacts opioid and prescription drug use, relevant to substance use treatment strategies. [Explore Findings](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-opioid-alternatives-reduce-rx-drug-use/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) An educational overview of cannabis effects on the brain shortly after use, informing clinical perspectives on substance use. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).