Police propose more drugs in banned list

They include tramadol, benzhexol and procyclidine, which have the same effects as the banned narcotic substances. These painkillers or muscle relaxants are being used by people but the police are not able to take action against the users or seize the drugs since they have not been in the banned list yet, Major-General Abdul Jalil Mehdi, Director of the Anti-Narcotic Unit of the police, said on Wednesday.

These medicines, mainly painkillers, are controlled drugs supposed to be sold only on the recommendation of doctors.

He was speaking at a press conference held to announce the opening of the Sixth Hemaya International Forum.

A committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Dubai Public Prosecution and Dubai Police under the chairmanship of Amin Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licences at the Ministry of Health, held a number of meetings to study the issue. It recommended to include these drugs in the banned list.

The forum on the theme ‘Investment in human resources to combat drugs — Between ambition and reality’ will be held at the Dubai Police Officers Club on June 29-30.

Major-General Rashid Tareq Al Mansouri, Director of the Human Resources Department at Dubai Police, said international participants, including 17 Arab experts, would discuss human resources, addiction and combating drug trafficking and abuse.

The Hemaya training centre would also be launched during the forum.

The topics of discussion at the forum will include training of police personnel and volunteers, organising e-training, role of private institutions in training, international cooperation and developing human resources to combat the menace.

“Drugs are destroying human resources, so we have to train people and enable them to chase traffickers and arrest the negative effects of drugs,” Al Mansouri said.

“This year, the forum will focus on the role of human resources department in training police staff in the latest anti-drug techniques and exchange of information.”

Al Mansouri said the first quarter of the year showed that drug use has declined due to awareness, training and rehabilitation programmes.

Mehdi stressed the importance of awareness and solidarity within families to monitor children and prevent them from using drugs.

The Dubai Police have used the latest techniques to arrest professional drug traffickers and their partners in other countries.

The police have trained and rehabilitated drug addicts and get a number of them employed in government departments and private sector.

amira@khaleejtimes.com