UAE VOWS TO STAMP OUT DRUGS

ABU DHABI - The UAE joined the world in marking the 'World Anti-Drugs Day' on Saturday.  In a statement marking the occasion, Interior Minister Lt.-Gen.  Dr Mohammed bin Saeed Al Badi said that by celebrating the anti-drug day, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to fighting the danger of drugs and protecting society against its challenges.

"The UAE contributes effectively to the regional and international efforts to counter this problem which is considered one of the most dangerous challenges facing the world today, especially in view of the existence of international Mafias and gangs which control the activities of illicit trading," Lt.-Gen.  Dr Badi stated.

He said that the UAE, by the grace of Allah, has been able to take full control of the situation against the spread of drugs in the country and managed to combat drug trafficking and drug smuggling crimes.

He said on the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the emirates, a comprehensive strategy had been planned and successfully executed in this regard, adding that the strategy was based on preventive, curative and rehabilitation measures.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated every year on June 26 to commemorate the signature of the declaration adopted at the International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on that day in 1987.

At the national level, the UAE has lined up a number of activities to mark the event.

In Abu Dhabi, the police has organised, among other activities, an exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Mall.  The exhibition, held under the theme "Together towards a drugs-free society" was inaugurated on Saturday by Major-General Mohammed Khamis Al Jinaibi, Deputy Director-General of Abu Dhabi Police.  Other emirates have also lined up various activities as part of the celebration.  Mosques across the country focused their Friday sermons on the drug menace.

In his message marking the occasion, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that one of the most damaging misconceptions about drug use was that it is a permanent problem.

"The truth is that treatment for drug abuse can work, and can restore value and dignity to a person's life.  The theme for this year's International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, "Drugs, Treatment Works", aims to correct this misconception, and convey the facts about drug abuse treatment, based on the latest and most reliable evidence and research."

He said that millions of people worldwide had been directly affected by drug problems - those who are dependent, as well as their families.  Their lives have been disrupted, their health undermined, their education interrupted, their jobs lost, their families broken.  People with drug-related problems, and their families and friends, need to know that there is a way out.