Dubai: Security officials will be assigned to schools to monitor and detect cases of drug abuse among students in the early stages, so it can be handled before it becomes serious, a top official said.
Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai and Vice-President of the National Anti-narcotics Council, said this during the launch of ‘Siraj’, a national programme for the prevention of drug abuse, on Sunday.
No other details on school monitoring were provided.
“Anti-narcotics authorities in the UAE are on high alert, stressing that the next phase will be crucial in catching anyone that is involved in trafficking, promoting or using,” he said.
He called for enforcing the death penalty on those found guilty of drug trafficking or promotion, adding, “They are killing our children, and must be punished in the same way.”
The council was formed following a ministerial resolution by Lt Gen Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, in March this year.
Lt. Gen Dahi said that the heads of the different anti-narcotics departments in the country have put certain indexes in place during the council’s first meeting and they have achieved 78 per cent of them until now.
Adding that by year end they should make good on their promise and arrest 95 per cent of people suspected in drug activities.
Colonel Saeed Bin Tuwair, director-general of the Anti-Narcotics Federal Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior and deputy chairman of the Council, said that 64 per cent of the Emirati drug users that were arrested in 2015 and received treatment and rehabilitation have relapsed.
This, he said, reflects flaws in the aspects of prevention and integration back in society, which needs quick solutions.
He added that the programme that was launched today aims to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse at an institutional, individual and community level.
It is based on four main pillars: happiness, good company, a cohesive family and a healthy body.
