Qatar adopts a broad approach in combating drugs scourge

HE the Director of Public Security Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi

HE the Director of Public Security Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi has underlined that Qatar adopted a comprehensive and integrated approach in combating drugs and illicit trafficking in accordance with local and international legislation and laws. In a statement on the occasion of marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26 every year, HE al-Khulaifi said that Qatar has followed a comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach to confronting the scourge of drugs, stressing that the state has been keen on strengthening and consolidating permanent co-operation and co-ordination with all regional and international organisations and institutions, updating laws and legislation related to the anti-drug law, forming national committees and sub-committees, and developing the national strategy for control. He pointed out that the state has developed a general policy aimed at protecting the community and taking care of its health, psychological and social well-being, studying and evaluating the reality and setting operational plans to limit the spread of this scourge. He underscored the keenness to reach all segments of society through all means of awareness via distinguished programmes that seek to find a comprehensive and integrated approach to deal with the problem of addiction and address it early, and raise the level of public awareness of the issue of drugs and its negative effects and ways to prevent it. Regarding the treatment, HE al-Khulaifi indicated that the state has established the Naufar centre for the treatment of addiction, which is one of the leading centres in the Middle East and is in line with the latest international standards in terms of equipment and services, adding that other clinics that will be opened soon. He expressed his thanks and appreciation for the continuous efforts made by the various authorities in the country to combat and prevent drugs, calling on young people to stay away from this destructive scourge that affects their lives and future, calling on all citizens and residents to exert more co-operation with the concerned authorities to eradicate this scourge and limit its spread. Countries around the world celebrate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking per a UN General Assembly resolution issued in December 1987 to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs to societies. This year’s celebration comes under the theme “Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives,” to combat misinformation and promote the sharing of facts about drugs, starting with health risks and available solutions to address the global drug problem, through its prevention and providing treatment and care for patients.