Doha: Qatar's authorities are planning to set up a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, an official said here. The move coincides with the international day against drug abuse, which will be observed on Monday.
The Supreme Council for Family Affairs is planning to create the facility to cater to the needs of an increasing number of youngsters suffering from drug addiction, an official at the council told Gulf News.
"The rehabilitation centre will serve a growing number of youths suffering from different kinds of addiction that need special treatment and qualified assistance," the official said.
Some preliminary studies conducted by the Council on the problem of drug addiction revealed that action needs to be taken urgently to provide both treatment and prevention of drug abuse.
The official said people were addicted to a range of substances, from narcotics to alcohol. However, despite studies conducted by the Council and Qatar University, there is no official estimate and comprehensive information on the magnitude of the problem.
"Data about the number of people suffering from this problem are scattered and incomplete as many cases of drug addiction go unreported. Nationals perceive the problem as shameful," he said.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) there are an estimated 400,000 drug addicts in the Middle East, out of 185 million worldwide.
However, Gulf countries do not collect comprehensive data and an estimate of the number of cases in the GCC is not available.
Dr Wadih Al Maaloof, Regional Epidemiology Advisor at the UN, said at a conference on drug addiction in Doha that studies indicated consumption of narcotics among teenagers is on the rise in the region.
He also warned drug addiction poses a major threat by increasing the possibility of spreading diseases such as Aids.
"The region needs comprehensive studies and strategies to address the problem," he said.
Qatar's interior ministry and judicial system are strengthening their offensive against drug smuggling in the country as the Gulf has been identified as one of the main routes of illicit opiatetrafficking from Afghanistan.
'Addiction is a worldwide issue'
The permanent committee for combating drug trafficking at the Ministry of Interior has organised a seminar and exhibition to mark the international day against drug abuse on June 26.
"Drug addiction is a worldwide issue and treatment of addicts is of great importance," said Major General Sa'ad Al Khulaifi, director-general of general security addressing the public at an exhibition titled Let's Say No to Drugs.
"Treatment is a basic factor to reintegrate addicts into society and help them return to their work, and enhance social relations and self-confidence."
The exhibition highlights the role that government departments, civil service organisations and charities are playing in spreading awareness on the consequences of drug addiction.
A seminar on modern-day methods of treating addicts and rehabilitation has also been organised along with other awareness initiatives to warn about the impact of the problem on Qatari society.
