Anti-Narcotics Committee considers setting up national authority

Dubai The Higher Committee for Combating Drugs at the Ministry of Interior is studying a proposal to set up a nationwide anti-narcotics authority to prevent the spread of drugs in the country.

The committee weighed the idea in a meeting yesterday helmed by its chairman Major General Khamis Said Bin Siwaif, Director General of the Criminal Security at the Interior Ministry. 

The meeting was attended by Major General Abdul Jalil Mahdi Mohammad Al Asmawi, Director General of Dubai Police Anti-Narcotics Department and deputy Chairman of the committee, Colonel Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Narcotics Department, Dr Mouza Gobash, Chairperson of the Community Affairs Committee at the National Security Council, and D Hamad Al Ghaifri, Director of the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The committee discussed two key topics. The first issue related to the proposal submitted by Dr Mouza on the establishment of the national anti-narcotics authority. The committee also discussed a report by Dr Al Ghafiri on the services provided by the National Rehabilitation Centre to drug addicts, as well as on his vision for prospects of cooperation and coordination between the committee and the centre.

Al Ghafiri also spoke about the new head office of the centre, which will be set up in Al Mafraq.

In her presentation, Dr. Mouza gave a review of her proposal for the establishment of the national anti-narcotics authority due to the growing problem of drugs on the global stage and challenges facing competent authorities to fight it.

The committee also talked about the immense efforts exerted by UAE authorities to combat drugs. However, Dr. Mouza believes that such efforts are not enough, stressing the need to adopt a comprehensive vision to tackle the spread of dugs at roots.