RAK Police seek salaries for rehabilitated addicts until they find a job

Ras Al Khaimah - They will also get a 'To whom it may concern' certificate.

The Ras Al Khaimah Police are proposing that rehabilitated drug addicts be given a monthly pay until they find a job, as part of efforts to help them start afresh.
The police have reached out to the Ministry of Community Development to arrange the salaries.
Col Sultan Khalid Al Qasimi, head of technical support for the anti-narcotics department of the RAK Police, said they spare no effort in rehabilitating addicts and helping them stay away from narcotics permanently.
Those who have fully stopped using drugs are also given a certificate, which they can show to employers during their job hunt.
"This certificate is meant to help them join their previous work and have a salary and a stable life," he said.
The privacy of those who had gone through rehabilitation is also protected, the officer added.
"They are subjected to regular check-ups and lab tests to make sure that they do not fall back to drug abuse again."
Young people have been found to be among the top drug users, Col Al Qasimi said.
"This is mainly brought about by bad circles of friends, free time, unemployment, family disputes, travelling abroad and interacting with strangers, and the curiosity to try something new," he explained.
Authorities, however, are determined to curb drug use with a number of policies and initiatives in place. Rehabilitation efforts are just part of them. Article 43 of the federal anti-narcotics law, for example, states that no lawsuit shall be filed against any drug abuser who willingly seek help from the RAK Police or the public prosecution.
"This is apart from the anti-narcotics department's relentless effort to crack down on drug smugglers, traffickers and abusers."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah