Dubai: Almost 90 cases of students using mind-altering substances were recorded in the last two years, with children as young as 14 facing drug charges, Dubai Police’s Department of Anti-Narcotics revealed at a press conference on Tuesday.
Mind-altering pills and capsules such as tramadol were the most prevalent drugs found among students, said Brigadier Eid Mohammad Thani, head of the anti-narcotic department in Dubai Police..
“Spreading awareness about the harmful effects of these pills is integral to reducing the number of users,” he said.
“In 2012, we had recorded 61 cases of students using pills to get high. Last year, we managed to reduce that number to 28.”
Brigadier Thani said that through the awareness programme, the department was aiming to further reduce the number of students abusing pills.
“We have colour-coded different zones around Dubai, prioritising areas in need for spreading awareness,” he said. “We will adopt various tactics, including social media and school lectures, to ensure that fewer students will be subject to the dangers of these substances.”
Brigadier Thani said that school officials should be wary of any suspicious persons or vehicles around the school premises.
“Dealers are likely to stop targeting schools if they see that students have no interest in the substances. Teachers and parents should be cautious to spot any symptoms of drug abuse amongst the students.”
“Our goal is to prevent students from even trying these substances once,” said Dr Mohammad Murad Abdullah, Director-General of the Decision Support Centre at Dubai Police..
Dr Abdullah said that children as young as 10 could be offered drugs and it was the role of authorities, schools and families to ensure that students reject any offer of drugs.
“Research shows that 80 per cent of people who try a mind-altering substance once continue to do so,” he said. “They develop a dependency for the drug. It is important for students to understand how harmful these substances can be so that immediate reaction to any offer of illegal substances is a firm no.”
On the treatment of addicts, Dr Abdullah said that families need to support their children during the process.
“Families shouldn’t view their children as criminals if they are found to be using these substances. They need to be a positive force in their recovery and treatment and not see them as a stigma appended to their family name.”
However, he said that the key was prevention, rehabilitation.
“According to research, only 20 per cent of those admitted to rehab centres around the world achieve full recovery,” he said, “Students must be sternly warned about the harmful effects of substances to prevent them having that first dose. It is, in many ways, a one-way ticket.”
