Around 2,125 people benefited from the activities part of the “Danger Within Reach” campaign, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development Center in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, and represented by the Departments of Social Support Centers and Community Police. The campaign included lectures, a marathon, literary salons, and diverse competitions.
A workshop was also held in which Al Manhal International School participated, alongside the Friends of Environment Association at the Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.
Brigadier General Najem Abdullah Al Hosani, Director of Social Support Centers, reaffirmed Abu Dhabi Police’s solicitude on promoting community partnerships by partaking in different campaigns to raise community awareness, in an attempt to put an end to crime, as well as deal with all family problems and resolve them amicably before they escalate. It also aims to provide advice and guidance for the cases referred to post-care centers.
He further explained the campaign’s objective to raise awareness, and warn the audience against using expired medicine and leaving it within children’s reach. He stressed that unifying efforts and coordination among social care centers, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development Center played a pivotal role in collecting excesses of expired medicine, which confirms the audience’s interaction and prompt response to the campaign.
Al Hosani highlighted the fact that the dangers of expired medicine do not affect humans only, but the environment as well. Indeed, the presence of expired medicine in houses or offices intensifies environmental pollution dangers.
Lieutenant Colonel Obeid Al Moghni, Head of Social Affairs at Department of Social Support Centers, stated that the department’s participation in this important event falls within the strategic plan of the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters that aims to gain the society’s trust. He also said that establishing the concept of community partnerships via communication and creating partnerships with all citizens is one of the strategic objectives that the department seeks to apply on the ground.
Al Moghni further added that the “Danger Within Reach” campaign is of the utmost importance, given that most families do not realize the danger of having and using expired medicine at home, or how to store medication in the house and dispose of it after their expiration date.
Environmental Consultant Engineer, Imad Saad, said that the campaign aims to warn society members against the dangers of expired medicine through awareness programs and workshops that introduce the audience to the appropriate means to follow to gather expired medicine, as well as to contacting the relevant authorities.
He pointed out that the campaign seeks to reduce the dangers of all types of environmental pollution, to achieve a safe and healthy society.
For his part, Bilal Al Ani, from Manhal School, explained that the campaign involves a comprehensive set of programs, workshops, lectures, competitions and a marathon, targeting school students, parents, patients and employees in both the public and private sectors.