UAE: Sheikh Mohammed announces new council to combat drugs

A new federal body will facilitate early detection of drug abuse and provide psychological and medical support for addicts in the UAE.

The National Council Against Narcotics will develop a drug control strategy, including prevention, awareness sessions, provision of medical and psychological treatment, and strengthening of community and functional integration mechanisms for recovered addicts.

This came as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, chaired a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“It will boost medical, psychological and rehabilitative treatment mechanisms for addicts, in addition to the integration of reformed ones back into society,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed.

The UAE Vice-President called drugs the scourge of this era, the cancer of societies, and “an epidemic that targets the youth”.

“Fighting drugs is a patriotic duty for every guardian, and every government and security official,” he said.

Headed by Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the council will enhance federal and local institutional integration to combat drug trafficking. It will follow up on the implementation of plans and policies to combat the smuggling of drugs through all UAE borders.

In January last year, the UAE implemented a law that replaced punishment with treatment for first-time drug users. Courts were given the authority to send convicts to specialised rehabilitation and treatment centres instead of jails. The law also made deportation of convicted expatriates optional.

Another law enacted earlier protects drug addicts from criminal charges if they voluntarily seek treatment from the authorities or if their loved ones do it on their behalf.

National sports strategy

The UAE Cabinet has also approved a federal sports strategy to promote community wellbeing. It aims to get over 70 per cent of the UAE’s population active by 2031.

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