Dubai Police official urges parents to educate children about bad company, drugs

Dubai - He noted that the National Anti-Narcotics Council has sent out about 380,000 awareness messages to families this year.

Parents can play a great role in educating children about the dangers of drug abuse and can protect them from all societal evils," a top UAE official has said.
The strategic location of the UAE makes it the target of organised criminals, including drug dealers who want to promote dangerous substances in the region, said Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, deputy chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, adding that the UAE authorities have taken stringent measures to fight against drug abuse and promotion through nabbing dealers and seizing drugs.
Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan made the comments during a lecture titled "With Solidarity and Awareness: Society is safe", which was organised in Abu Dhabi to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs. The lecture was part of activities to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day).
He explained the importance of the National Anti-Narcotics Council, which was established by Lt-Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, three years ago. He said the council helped unify efforts to combat drug smuggling and promotion in the federal level.
"Through coordinating with security teams to nab drug traffickers and dealers, and supporting institutional efforts to promote awareness among community members on the dangers of drug abuse, the council has helped combating organised crimes," said Tamim.
He noted that the National Anti-Narcotics Council has sent out about 380,000 awareness messages this year to families, educating them about the dangers of drugs and tips on how to protect children from drug abuse and addiction.
He also urged families to safeguard their children from bad company and teach them religious and moral values to protect them from the use of drugs.
Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan revealed that recent studies have shown that the most risky age for children ranges from 11 to 18 years because at this age, children want to try everything and also can easily be influenced by their peers.
Brigadier Mohammed Al Shehhi, director of human rights at the Ministry of Interior, said the UAE law did not overlook the humanitarian aspect of the drug users and the role of the family in protecting children from bad companions.
"If parents establish a positive relationship with their children during early stages of life, they can educate their children about dangers of bad companies and influence them to be more aware of their environment," he said.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi