Under the auspices of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ hosted on Wednesday a celebration to mark the “World Anti-Drugs Day”, being observed worldwide on June 26. The five-day celebrations, held under the slogan “Be in a Good Company… Say no to Drugs”, kicked off at a number of malls, namely; Bawabat Al Sharq Mall at Banyas city; Al Ain Mall in Al Ain; and the TAMM and Gayathi Centers for Integrated Government Services in the Western Region.
On this occasion, the Abu Dhabi Police called for strengthening community partnership against the dangers of drugs. It urged the public to get involved and contribute to spread awareness on the risks posed by narcotics and other psychotropic substances on mental health as well as their ill-effects that threaten the life of future generations. Moreover, the Abu Dhabi Police called for vigilance among families, urging them to help their children choose good companionship, and acquaint them with the useful means to fill their leisure time, and develop their ability to distinguish right from wrong.
As part of its participation in the day’s celebrations, the Abu Dhabi Police provided a number of awareness-raising activities, programs, and theater performances; along with a free drawing pavilion and community contests. Attendees, including children and students took part in these activities; prizes were distributed to all participants.
In his address on the occasion, Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi, Director of the Capital Police Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ indicated that the Abu Dhabi Police has endeavored with all its might, as per the directives of police leadership, to address and combat the scourge of drugs and drug-trafficking.
“The UAE government has established strategies to combat this scourge, and penalized all forms of drug handling, namely; possession, purchase, import, export, and drug abuse; regardless of the intent or purpose behind such bad behaviors,” he said.
Al Sharifi added that the Abu Dhabi Police has placed awareness-raising on the dangers of drugs on top of its priorities, and continues to educate community members throughout the year, via the activities and programs of the Security Media Department, not only on the World Anti-Drugs Day. Moreover, he noted that the Abu Dhabi Police has stepped up its efforts to combat the scourge of drugs, due to their adverse effects on health, society, economy and on security.
Al Sharifi emphasized the Abu Dhabi Police’s commitment to achieve concerted efforts between the various society institutions and anti-drugs entities to combat this devastating blight. This would contribute to attain the objectives set by the World Anti-Drugs Day, and provide the necessary information to help the competent authorities disseminate prevention means to protect community members and families against these deadly substances.
He called on the various segments of society to participate actively in the fight against drug crimes, by extending a helping hand to police agencies, which spare no effort to ensure the security of the homeland, and preserve the safety of its people. “Everyone is required to report any security-threatening crime that comes to one’s knowledge, by calling the Aman service toll-free number on 8002626,” he continued.
Concluding, Director of the Capital Police Directorate called on drug abusers’ families to seek help and resort to specialized treatment centers; pointing out that drug abuse is a serious threat to communities, for the moral crimes and negative habits they ensue.
Attending the celebrations were Colonel Ibrahim Sultan Al