'We must fight scourge of drugs'

Riyadh: Most people arrested on terror charges are also drug users, said Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz.

Seeking the cooperation of all people in the kingdom's fight against drugs, Prince Nayef, who is also chair of the National Committee to Combat Drugs, said "drugs are more dangerous than wars and catastrophes."

Speaking to reporters after presiding over a meeting of the Committee at the minister's office on Tuesday evening, Prince Nayef said that more than 400 policemen had lost their lives during anti-drug campaigns.

"Security officers have confiscated hundreds of tonnes of drugs. The anti-drug department will soon come out with the exact figures of the total amount of the seizure and the number of those affected by this menace," he said.

Prince Nayef called on everyone to join ranks in the fight against drugs.

"We need everybody's cooperation in this ongoing fight, as drugs are a major threat to the country. Everyone must do everything they can to protect their sons, daughters and families against this evil," he added.

Targeted

According to the minister, Saudi Arabia is in the forefront of nations stopping attempts to smuggle in drugs, saying "the kingdom is being targeted."

He added King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz was keen to support actions that contribute "to keep the sons of this nation and its property away from the scourge of drugs," he said while stressing the immense role to be played by the Committee in this respect.

He said the Ministry of Interior had requested the Ministry of Education to monitor those targeting students in its bid to protect them from this evil.

"We want to work and to really control any person because this epidemic does not threaten a single segment in the community, but almost all of society and could be detrimental to anyone."

Meanwhile, Prince Nayef signed a cooperation agreement with the Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Mohsen Al Akkas, who is also chairman of the board of directors of National Charity Fund. Under the deal, the fund will provide services for those who have successfully completed drug addiction treatment.