Set the right example for your children

Sharjah - An official at Sharjah Education Zone said the Ministry of Education is keen to work with authorities concerned to combat drugs among school students.

Parents play a crucial role in combatting drugs and kids of addicted parents tend to follow their footsteps, said Mustafa Al Rafea, drug and alcohol rehabilitation expert.
"Parents who educate their children about the danger of the drugs will resist the temptation. By the time children reach their teenage years, they will have encountered plenty of references to drugs," he said.
"Many movies, television shows, songs and even video games depict drug substances as fun and cool without demonstrating the destructive potential they have for causing addiction," he added.
An official at Sharjah Education Zone said the Ministry of Education is keen to work with authorities concerned to combat drugs among school students by spreading awareness about its danger.
School managements are aware that they still have the opportunity to work with parents to identify students who show behavioural risks for drug-related problems. "When the use of an illicit substance is detected in schools, the management must inform the authorities and cooperate to find the best solution to prevent them," he said. "The upcoming rehabilitation centre in Sharjah must work with schools in combating the drugs and prevent the students from addiction," he added.
Drug traders use tricks to attract the youth and schools students. According to the police, synthetic drugs are being traded in the form of pills with attractive colours. Drugs are often sold in the shape of candies and other eatable products and are often sold in legal retail outlets with a label "Not fit for human consumption'. The Sharjah Police are working to protect students who can be lured with sweets stuffed with drugs.
Families must report addicted children
Maj Al Assam said the cooperation from families to deal with the scourge of drugs is important as any case of addiction within the family should be reported.
The Article No. 43 of the Anti-Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law stipulates: "No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the abusers of narcotic substances or psychotropic substances if the abuser, his wife or one of his relatives, approaches the addiction rehabilitation centre, police or public prosecution to request treatment."
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com