Abu Dhabi Police's 'school bus' to combat drugs

Abu Dhabi - The apparatus on the bus is designed to clearly illustrate the serious consequences of drug abuse

To create awareness among students and educate them on the hazards of drugs, the Abu Dhabi Police have come up with an offbeat idea. The police department is taking a bus ride to the schools.
And not just any ordinary bus. The police have customised a special bus with equipment and facilities to physically demonstrate the ill-effects of drugs on the human body, in an effort to show the students firsthand. The idea was conceptualised for the first day of the new academic year, to warn them of the dangers of narcotics use.
But the programme will continue throughout the academic year in coordination with the school managements in Abu Dhabi.
Lieutenant Colonel Tahir Al Dhaheri, head of the Anti-Narcotics Department of Abu Dhabi Police, said the bus is named "Badir" after the Arabic term for taking initiative. It can display first-hand the serious damage caused by the scourge of drugs and its addiction, and how it affects the individual, family and the society.
Manned by competent lecturers, the bus is equipped with TVs and screens. The apparatus and presentations on the bus is designed to clearly illustrate the serious consequences to the health of the victim and the approach taken by drug peddlers for luring and entrapping their victims, and the scars it leaves on the family and society.
"The bus is designed for all segments of society, particularly the youth, to facilitate further interaction between them and the police and raise the standard of drug hazards awareness," Lt Col Al Dhaheri said.
The bus awareness team visited Al Dhabiania Private School at Al Manaseer, where it reviewed and explained in detail the risks from drugs, along with demonstrations, pamphlets and leaflets.
"The bus will visit the most frequented places in the capital, like shopping malls, schools, majlis etc to show the dangers of drugs, said Major Mohammed Al Mansouri, Awareness Branch Manager of the Anti-Narcotics Section.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi