Egyptians and Israelis might have more in common than they think, at least in one department: dope.

Last week, the Times Online reported a shortage of hashish in Egypt, where a government crackdown has resulted in a dry spell that has driven prices up and users to distraction.

Funny, the same thing seems to be happening in Israel. The Hebrew daily Maariv reported that prices for the same favorite have doubled in recent months and hashish is nearly nowhere to be found. Users complain that these days, they are forced to shell out three and four times as much for lab-grown marijuana.

The reason for the neighbors' shortage, said the Times Online, was a government crackdown. In Israel too, authorities have taken matters into their own hands. The establishment of three special police units at Israel's southern and northern borders as well as its international airport have brought a 30% increase in the number of big drug busts. Police say they are now noting a change in trends; importers are getting creative and drugs frowned upon and considered inferior by the local market, such as opium, are making a comeback.