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FIGHTING THE CANCER OF THE CENTURY

The UAE has undertaken major steps at all levels in combating drug abuse and trafficking in narcotics, said a senior police official.

"The country has made great strides in fighting the drug menace at the legislative level,” Brigadier Hassan Ahmed Al Housani, Director of Information and Public Relations Department at Abu Dhabi Police Directorate.

He said the UAE joins international and regional anti-narcotics programmes to free the society from the 'cancer of the century’. UAE is marking the International Anti-Narcotics Day under the directives of Lt. General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.

Housani's comment came during yesterday's launch of a five-day programme organised by Abu Dhabi General Directorate to mark the International Anti-narcotics Day observed worldwide on June 26. Held under this year's theme: "Hand in hand towards a society free of drugs", the programme will present a spectrum of educational, medical, social and rehabilitation anti-drugs shows.

An exhibition at Marina Mall showcasing aspects of drugs abuse and their various complications on individual’s life was also inaugurated yesterday on the sidelines of the programme. "While celebrating this international annual event, the UAE renewed its commitment towards eradication of drugs.

Marking world anti-narcotics day is an indication to the country's obligation to cooperate hand in hand with the international community to eliminate drugs abuse, which has become a universal dangerous phenomenon", said Colonel Mohammed Khamees Al Junaibi, Deputy Commander of the Abu Dhabi Police General Directorate.Voicing his comments at the commemoration programme, Junaibi called on parents to take good care of their children to avert getting them involved in drugs abuse. "Parents and guardians have the big responsibility in protecting youths from becoming addicts. We take this opportunity to call on them to look after their children and avert drug hazards from weaken the social fabrics of our society," he added.

He said the UAE joins international and regional anti-narcotics programmes to free the society from the ‘cancer of the century’, under the directives of Lt. G Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior to eliminate the hazards of drugs on the society.

Several public departments and institutions including the UAE Red Crescent, Health Services at Abu Dhabi Police Clinic, Social Welfare Unit at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Zayed Centre for Comprehensive Welfare, National Rehabilitation Centre and Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, are participating in the informative exhibition. Lectures, maritime shows, symposia, radio programmes, theatre shows and competitions have also been lined up for the event.

FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

A two day forum titled ‘The Role of Information, Education and Curative Institutions for the Protection Against Drugs,’ being organised by the Dubai Police, got underway yesterday.

Inaugurating the forum, held following the directions of Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, Brigadier Dr Jamal Al Merri, Deputy Commander in Chief, stressed the importance of preparing a unified mechanism for the protection against drugs in order to help reduce the number of drug addicts, and to fight drug dealers.

"We are looking to further enhance preventive and curative services to combat drugs and mitigate drug addiction," he said. He pointed out the anti drug campaigns and the chasing operations being carried out at international levels to foil drug trafficking crimes, which are essential to prevent the spread of drugs addiction and the related risks.

Realising the importance of increasing awareness among the youth, Dubai Police is organising the first of its kind programme in the world that is aimed at qualifying over 8,000 youths to carry out campaigns to increase awareness about drugs and their risks among teenagers.

Brig. Dr Al Merri hailed the hard and sincere efforts extended by different groups in fighting the drugs menace .

"Collaborative efforts and partnerships are essential to combat this disaster, which is killing the country's youths who represent its future," Brigadier Mohammed Humaid Al Suwaidi, Director of General Administration of Punitive and Reformatting Institutions, said.