Conference discusses ways to fight drug use

Abu Dhabi: Some children just nine years old are using drugs for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a senior drug rehabilitation official in the capital said on Sunday.

The variety of drugs that are first used however varies depending on availability and affordability, Dr Hamad Al Gaferi, director general of the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), told Gulf News.

"Combating drug use requires both a legal framework as well as a proper rehabilitation system," Dr Al Gaferi said.

"Drug users also need to know that certain medical products illegally produced to be sold as drugs often contain harmful components, which can cause complications like seizures and even death," he added.

Regional forum

Dr Al Gaferi spoke at a conference yesterday that announced the start of the first regional forum of the International Drug Policy Consortium, in which international health experts and government officials will discuss the region's current state of drug addiction and treatment.

The two-day forum which starts in the capital today was also to look at a possible regional drug policy.

Dr Al Gaferi, who has headed the NRC since 2008 and is vice president of the Arab Federation for Drug Prevention, said the NRC saw about 80 outpatients a month, of whom nearly 40 became inpatients.

Support: Help for addicts

Details about the National Rehabilitation Centre

- Established in 2002 with 18 beds for Emirati males.

- Currently 44 beds at the centre, still for Emirati males.

- 450 patients treated at NRC until last December.

-  200-bed facility expected to open in Khalifa City B in 2014.

— Source: National Rehabilitation Centre