Police anti-drug campaign gets under way

Dubai: Dubai Police’s war on drugs has taken a major step forward as a campaign targeting youngsters gets under way. Police said the problem is so bad children as young as 12 are abusing drugs.

“Some types of drugs are becoming popular among students and this campaign aims to raise their awareness against abusing drugs,” said Colonel Dr Jasem Mirza, Director of the Security Awareness Department at Dubai Police.

Dr Khalifa Al Shamsi from Dubai Police’s security educational department said the police will use posters, flyers and advertisements in the media to highlight the problem. They will also organise special exhibitions to educate the public about how addicts get hooked on drugs.

“The number of young people who abuse drugs has risen. Thus, the need for educational campaigns becomes imperative,” he said.

All sectors of society are helping the police in their fight, he added.

“We have the full cooperation of government departments and the private sector.”

He said there is a need not only to fight traffickers but also to tackle an increasing number of drug abusers, some as young as 12.

He urged parents to be extra vigilant during summer vacations as this is the time when most youngsters who form habits get hooked.

He also warned parents not to let their children travel unsupervised because the majority of drug users try drugs for the first time when they are abroad.

“Youths are often tempted to sniff glue or take hallucinogens,” he added. “Drugs are a real threat to the future of the whole world and there is an urgent need to confront the phenomenon of the spread of drugs by any means to protect society from this deadly scourge,” said Dr Colonel Mirza.

Criminals

“Drug use has become a scary fact that threatens societies all over the world and must be confronted on all levels.

“Police are helping the addict and their families. Drug abusers end up with mental difficulties or as thieves, criminals and murderers,” he warned.

The campaign against drugs was launched by Dubai Police at a press conference on Tuesday at Dubai Police’s Anti-Narcotics Department in cooperation with various schools and both the American and British Consulate.

Dr Colonel Mirza said that the campaign will also focus on different sections of the media, including social media.

He said the use of crystal meth and tramadol among students is on the rise.

“We urge school and universities to report to police any cases of students who are taking drugs,” said Dr Al Shamsi.

He said tramadol is a painkiller and available on prescription.

“Some parents may use such medicine and children know that this is a controlled medicine and that it is harmful,” he said.