Prescription drugs account for 54% of all drug seizures

New psychoactive uncontrolled substances are one of the biggest risks to public health and represents a major challenge that is threatening public health.

Dubai — Controlled prescription drugs accounted for 54 per cent of the overall drug seizures in the country, a top official from the Ministry of Interior revealed.

Drug smuggling methods By mail          29% Via airports   26% By land          17% Where drug use is most prevalent Abu Dhabi     59% Dubai 14% Sharjah          11% Fujairah        6% Ajman            5% UAQ   4% RAK    1%

“The number of deaths due to the use of such drugs is high is many countries. A report issued by the International Narcotics Control Board this year revealed that in recent years the number of new psychoactive uncontrolled substances is increasing. Such drugs are one of the biggest risks to public health and represents a major challenge that is threatening public health in Europe,” said Colonel Saeed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Federal Anti-Narcotic Department at the Ministry of Interior.

He was speaking at the 11th International Hemaya Forum on Drugs held on Tuesday under the theme ‘Prescription and psychotropic drugs abuse, challenges and coping strategies’.

He highlighted the difficulties faced by governments in addressing the challenges posed by these drugs.

Col Al Suwaidi stressed that the UAE will spare no effort in enabling the Drug Demand Reduction programme carried out by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The integrated programme aims to prepare national experts in the area of drug demand reduction according to best international practices.

Major-General Khamis Matar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, said the drug problem in general is no longer a problem of individual addiction, but something that concerns the community due to its social, economic and psychological dimensions. “The drug problem has become more complex than can be imagined,” he stated.

Families, schools, places of worship, security agencies, health agencies, social and youth organisations and the media have important roles to play in ridding the society of the menace of drugs, he affirmed.

“A collective action is needed to identify all the security dimensions of the problem, take measures accordingly and keep abreast of important developments in this regard,” Maj-Gen Al Mazeina said.

Dr Hatem Ali, Regional Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in GCC, stressed the need to exchange expertise and experience on the international level to fight the drug problem.

A short film called ‘If I Know My End’ was screened at the conference, which tells the true story of two students who got addicted to drugs while they were studying abroad. The duo had to return to their home country without completing their studies as a result. -amira@khaleejtimes.com