The Kingdom has taken a big step in confronting and eradicating the epidemic of drugs by separating the Anti-Drugs Department from the Public Security Sector. The department is now an independent body that is under the direct supervision of the Interior Ministry. By doing this, a chance is given to every citizen to contribute to the war against the problem of drugs, especially since drug dealers and promoters have recently begun to use techniques and methods that cannot be easily detected by authorities.
The issue of drugs was a taboo subject for a long time in the Kingdom. There was actually a complete denial of the problem in society considering our state is a religious, social and ethical one. Things have changed now and it is important that we acknowledge the problem and then confront it. In fact, the Kingdom’s problem could even grow worse because of factors involving money, young people with free time and the increase in the youthful population.
After acknowledging the problem, we need to call everyone to participate in a campaign to eradicate and win the battle against drugs. The new Anti-Drugs Department must organize a huge campaign to connect with people and create harmonious relationships with them in order to bring about a sense of shared responsibility to fight drugs.
There are actually two aspects of this war: the first one includes the offer which takes place with strong mysterious forces that work in the dark to promote drugs; the second is the demand which includes drug addicts, dealers and potential users. Efforts must be dedicated to victory in both. What is really important in the former field is to create a solid well-founded network to provide and exchange information with local, regional and international committees and organizations. It is known that there are at least eight international organizations that focus on the problem in addition to the qualified and trusted local forces.
As for the demand, the issues are more complicated and need more focus and attention. We need to protect people by educating them about the dangers of drugs. We need to create civilian institutions in different regions to take part in awareness campaigns. We need to involve media outlets in contributing to the spread of awareness. Direct strict preaching isn’t going to help with such a deep-rooted problem. In schools, students need also to learn about the dangers of drugs and the horrible consequences of drug addiction. We need to explain the symptoms and the conditions that indicate drug addition.
What is devastating about drugs is that they destroy the human being so he can no longer do anything positive in life. If he continues his addiction, it may become impossible to overcome until after a long process of treatment and rehabilitation. Statistics have shown that more than 80 percent of recovered drug addicts go back to drugs if they are not removed from the environment that produced the addiction in the first place. Drug addiction destroys a person’s character and health as well as his productivity and requires a great deal of money to treat and take care of the condition.
