EXPO RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT DRUGS

HASHISH, heroin, cocaine and opium went on display at the Jawad Food Garden yesterday.

The exhibition was organised by the Northern Governorate in co-operation with the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation ( CID ) awareness centre for drug dangers.

It aimed at helping people recognise different types of drugs and different methods used for smuggling.

The event was part of a series of activities held to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, celebrated around the world on June 26.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ( UNODC ) is celebrating the day this year under the theme Let's Talk About Drugs.

CID officer Kadhem Al Owainati said he was happy with the number of people who attended the exhibition.

"We try to enlighten the largest number of people on the dangers of drugs," he said.

"Exhibitions such as these give us the chance to achieve that goal."

Mr Al Owainati explained how some drugs were smuggled into the country in dolls or toothpaste.

"These are all old ways of smuggling," he said.

Mr Al Owainati stressed on the importance of combatting drug abuse.

"A person can get hooked on to heroin from just one sniff.  He might never recuperate," he continued.

People, added Mr Al Owainati, should beware of bad company as peer pressure plays a big role in drug abuse and addiction.

The governorate is also holding a number of seminars to discuss the issue.

The first is titled Drugs...  A Monster Threatening our Society is being held in co-operation with the Islamic Enlightenment Society.  It will take place at Musaab bin Umair mosque in Hamad Town on Tuesday at 9pm.

The second seminar, How to Protect our Children from Drugs, will be held in association with the Buri Charity Fund.

It will take place on July 20 at 8.30pm in Matam Al Imam Al Baqer mosque, Buri.  All events are open to the public.