The Emirates called for strengthening the international humanitarian response and providing urgent relief to those in need
mena3 hours ago
The Dubai Police, during a Press conference on Tuesday, denied reports that a candy, popular among young children, contained narcotics.
Shocking: Duo charged with importing 3000 medically controlled pills
The police said that rumours had been taking rounds that a candy nicknamed 'strawberry quick' contained traces of narcotics had caused panic in schools and among parents, and warned that action will be taken against those who spread such wrong information.
Audacity:Australian man caught with candy-coated cannabis in Dubai
Colonel Eid Mohammad Thani Hareb, director of the Anti-Narcotics Department, assured that there had been no complaints from schools or parents about the candy and no seizures of any kind of candy had been made in the recent past.
Crime: Woman caught at Dubai airport with drugs under her clothes
The conference was attended by Lt-Col. Ahmed Matar Al Muhairi, Head, General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police, and Khaled Ibrahim Rashid, head of school operations at the Ministry of Education in Dubai.
Colonel Eid said it was necessary to hold the conference, which comes by the directives of Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation, to emphasise the keenness of the leadership of the Dubai Police to provide transparent information to the public.
He urged parents to confirm the truth on such matters with the authorities before passing on the information to others, thus contributing to the panic.
Find out: Are frozen strawberries safe for consumption in UAE?
Dr Fuad Tarbah, senior forensic toxicologist and director of Training, Research and Development Department at Dubai Police's Forensics Science and Criminology Department, said the candy contained a substance called miraculin, extracted from a fruit called 'miracle fruit'. He added that the said candies contain the dehydrated pulp of the fresh berries and that it does not have any psychotropic effect nor does it lead to weight loss. However, it can help in weight loss as it helps reduce sugar intake.
He added that youngsters should be careful about excessive use of such products, including chocolates.
Police warning
The police cautioned against children using drugs that cause health problems and affect their immunity. Parents should have proper control over their children and should be aware of their activities, said Colonel Hareb.
He urged parents to look out for signs like behavioural changes, rapid weight loss, falling grades and reluctance to go to school.
He said that since the beginning of this year, 216 awareness lectures had been organised and 21,487 people had benefitted out of them. He added that the police department has liaison officers who coordinate with various government and private schools in Dubai, to exchange views and report any disturbing case.
amira@khaleejtimes.com
The Emirates called for strengthening the international humanitarian response and providing urgent relief to those in need
mena3 hours ago
Photonics is the study of light and has several applications including LED, VR, holograms, high-speed internet and solar panels among other things
uae3 hours ago
A delegation from Egypt arrived in Israel on Friday hoping to revive the truce negotiations
mena4 hours ago
The decision aims to protect the safety and security of pilgrims
gulf4 hours ago
They have been carrying out rescue operations for the last four years, drawing on their extensive experience in saving people from desert terrain
uae5 hours ago
Dubai Amateur 17-year-old Oscar Craig continues to showcase his impressive form with third-round level par 72 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
sports5 hours ago
The tragic incident led to the death of a number of innocent people from Yemen
mena5 hours ago
Alongside regional leaders, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the meetings
world6 hours ago