UAE | Crime
Drug convicts: New rehabilitation centre likely
Plans for new rehabilitation centre for Emirati drug addicts
- By Salam Al Amir, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 March 18, 2010
- Image Credit: Xpress /Virendra Saklani
- Maj Gen Abdul Jalil Al Mahdi, Dubai Police
Dubai: Police are studying a proposal for a new rehabilitation centre for Emirati drug addicts.
Maj Gen Abdul Jalil Al Mahdi, Director of the Anti-Narcotics Department at Dubai Police which has submitted the proposal, said such a centre will enable drug addicts to serve their jail terms in a separate centre instead of the Dubai Central Jail.
The previous rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in Dubai was shut down in 2005 and converted into the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.
Several meetings are being held with Dubai Prosecution, the courts, the Ministry of Health and other agencies in this regard.
"It's a moral and professional obligation that I try to help open such a centre," he said, adding that the department is making efforts to create greater awareness about drug abuse.
Mission: Save a life
The rehabilitation centre, if approved, will accommodate Emiratis convicted by the court on drug consumption charges. They will spend their terms at the centre, receiving medical, psychological and social support. "Even if we save one life, that would be a success," said Maj Gen Al Mahdi.
Meanwhile, Dubai Police Chief Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim said the mechanism of combating drugs in the UAE needs to be revised. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he called for ending pardons granted to those involved in drug-related cases more than once.
He added that he had submitted a suggestion a long time ago to stop imprisoning addicts the first time they are arrested and to instead refer them to a rehabilitation centre.
A total of 1,049 drug cases were registered in 2009 as against 1,102 the previous year.
More from UAE Crime
More from UAE
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Secret source scheme reaps rewards
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- New Smart e-Gate ‘will speed passenger flow'
