The Office of the Assistant Dean for Professional Development in the College of Education at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), in cooperation with the Awareness and Aftercare Section of the Anti-Narcotics Department from the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, recently organized a lecture for female students entitled, “Drugs, a Permanent Danger and Continuous Threat.” The lecture’s aims were to raise awareness and educate students about the dangers of drugs and the damage they can cause. It sought, by these means, to reduce the prevalence and spread of drug culture. The lecture was delivered in the College of Education on UAEU’s Al Ain campus by Major Mohammad Al Mansouri, Director of the Anti-Narcotics Department of the Abu Dhabi Police.

Major Al Mansouri highlighted the emergence and spread of drugs throughout communities, stressing the numerous ways they can harm people. He mentioned the criminalization of drug cultivation, manufacture, trade and promotion, all of which are against the law in the majority of countries, including the UAE. The UAE seeks to educate young people and diverse social groups about the dangers of this deadly scourge. In addition he detailed the legal means the police have at their disposal to deter drug use and to prevent the spread and circulation of drugs throughout society.

The lecturer referred to a comment from His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who tweeted that, “Drugs are an evil that distorts life.” His Highness expressed the great threat of drugs to the youth of the country, and the negative effect it could have on their future and the future of their entire families. Such comments from the national leadership inspire us to deal with such evil intrusions into our lives and to look to society, community and religion to maintain an optimistic view of life.

Major Mohammed Al Mansouri stressed that there are many consequences of drug abuse. These include damaging your health and physique, as well as the economic impact on the person affected, their family, and society as a whole. According to international reports, billions of dollars are spent annually to combat drugs and there are additional social aspects affecting the reputations of people and their families as well as threatening the security of the entire community.

The lecturer drew attention to the need to inform the police of suspicious cases related to drugs. He explained that there are channels of communication for such instances established by the Ministry of Interior. These reports are handled confidentially and UAE law exempts the abuser from punishment if they turn themselves in for treatment.