Abu Dhabi: Marking the launch of a drug awareness campaign, Lt Gen Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, posted on his Twitter account “Drug abuse is a scourge that ruins lives”.
Launched by the Ministry of Interior, the campaign aims to educate the public on the risks and dangers of drug abuse. The campaign will continue until July 15 under the slogan “They told me”.
Shaikh Saif also uploaded an expressive video on Twitter, highlighting the risks involved in taking drugs and the dangers to both individuals and society, as well as the associated significant adverse effects. The campaign, held in cooperation with the National Rehabilitation Centre, aims to raise the awareness of community members about the consequences of drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the ministry, stressed that the UAE has made strenuous and fruitful efforts to combat drugs and various types of crimes in order to eliminate this harmful scourge, which represents multi-faceted risks at social, economic and security levels.
“The ministry dedicates significant attention to combating drugs, as per the directives of His Highness the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who is constantly following up on the activities of anti-drug agencies and is keen to provide them with the necessary technical, financial and human resources, so as to enable them to carry out their duties in addressing this issue,” said Lt General Al Sha’far.
In his speech marking the launch of the campaign, Lt. General Al Sha’far added: “The awareness-raising plans and programmes implemented by the ministry are intended for all segments of society and play a significant positive role in enhancing awareness of the public regarding all community and security issues. They are also intended to encourage addicts to quit using drugs by providing the appropriate environment to allow their reintegration into society. This is achieved through the initiatives implemented by the ministry and relevant entities, which aim at assisting them through various ways, channels and programmes designed to cure them of the effects of drug abuse, with a view to allowing them to take part in the overall progress and development process taking place in the country.”
The Undersecretary called upon all institutions to join the concerted efforts to curtail the risks of drugs on young people, particularly during the summer vacation, by filling their leisure time with purposeful programmes and activities that are in line with the intellectual, educational and technological level attained by the UAE society.
