UAE celebrates ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’

Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai and Chairman of the Anti-Narcotics Council, attended the celebration of the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,” which was held under the slogan, “Be With Your Children, They Will Be Fine,” at the Police Officers Club in Dubai.

The Day is observe 26 June as an expression of UN determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

The celebration was attended by Major General Abdullah Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police; Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Public Health Policy and Licenses; Brigadier Saeed Abdullah bin Tuwair Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Directorate of Drug Control at the Ministry of Interior; Dr. Hamad Abdullah Al Ghaferi, Director-General of the National Rehabilitation Centre, and Hatem Ali, Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, in GCC countries, as well as heads of administrations and senior officers from the Ministry of Interior.

Lt. General Tamim delivered a speech at the ceremony, where he said that the most effective method of prevention is to raise the awareness of parents.

He stressed that the selection of the day’s slogan was an appropriate one because parents raising their children correctly from an early age is the best method of prevention.

“We are fighting an ongoing war against drug dealers, who are always changing their tactics,” he added.

He also highlighted the importance of cooperation, through the exchange of knowledge and expertise while pointing out that the efforts of security agencies alone are not enough, and their key challenge is to reduce the demand for drugs.

Ali thanked the ministry’s officials for supporting the UNODC office in Abu Dhabi in performing its role.

He also thanked the ministry for organising the celebration while adding that the UNODC’s participation is part of its strategic efforts to help member countries address the drugs issue, through adopting the best international practices and promoting cooperation with relevant authorities.

At the end of the ceremony, Lt. General Tamim honoured a group of police officers and the ministry’s strategic partners.

Brigadier Al Suwaidi announced the launch of the first “Emirates Anti-Narcotics Award,” which will include ten institutional and individual categories.