Abu Dhabi: In cooperation with its local and federal partners, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has discussed ways to establish the first national strategic plan to combat drugs. The discussion took place in a specialised workshop, in which the basic themes and best international practices were discussed and reviewed. They also suggested solutions to the partners, presented the proposed performance indicators, and discussed the context of a governing regulatory framework to ensure proper procedures for the policies’ implementation, supervision, and follow-up.
Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said: “The priorities of the ministry consist of combating drugs and eradicating this scourge of society, and to subsequently develop supporting initiatives for the efforts and the reorganisation of the regulatory structure of the ministry.”
The Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior recently organised the workshop in cooperation with the Directorate General of Strategy and Performance Development at the Minister of Interior, and the United Nation Office of Drugs and Crime, with the participation of Chauhan Smish, Representative of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to present their experiences along with the surveys and figures.
The workshop was inaugurated by Colonel Saeed Al Suwaidi, Director-General, Anti-Drug Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior. He stressed the importance of the roles of all the federal and local governmental bodies in combating drugs within a framework that includes all of the concerned bodies.
During the workshop, Colonel Faisal Sultan Al Shuaibi, Director of Strategy and Performance Development at Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, stressed the keenness and the care given by the government to set and develop the proper mechanisms and regulations within all segments of society to fight this scourge as quickly as possible.
Major Abdul Rahman Ali Saeed Al Mansouri, Head of Strategy and Performance Development Department at the Ministry of Interior, explained the mechanism of the workshop. He explained the importance of identifying and defining challenges, and in proposing solutions, initiatives, and indicators for such challenges. He also highlighted the need for an agreed upon coordinating leader and supporting bodies.
During the workshop, the participants conducted brainstorming sessions in the field of reducing the supply and demand for drugs, limiting the challenges related to prevention, awareness, early intervention and social care. They also discussed programmes for rehabilitation and social integration, which are essential for all the ministries and governmental bodies within the UAE and agreed on solutions and initiatives concerning teenagers, children, citizens, residents, and visitors of the UAE.
The workshop was attended by all departments involved with anti-drug activities in the MoI alongside 45 partners of all the ministries and governmental bodies in the UAE.
