In spite of efforts to combat the problem, drug abuse continues to grow, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported.

According to Dr. Abdul Ilah Al-Moshref, educational consultant at the National Committee for Combating Drugs, substance abuse continues to spread in Saudi society year after year.

“Our programs to combat this menace are not working as effectively as we hoped they would. This is more evident especially in the case of our younger generation in the 15 to 25 age group,” he said, quoting recent statistics.

Al-Moshref, who is also director general of schools in Riyadh, said the Kingdom’s security agencies strive hard to protect wider society from drugs.

“They mainly focus on tracking down drug traffickers. They, however, do not give proper attention to awareness campaigns aimed at the younger generation,” he said.

Dr. Saud Al-Dahyan, professor of sociology at King Saud University in Riyadh, highlighted the importance of education among young children.

“Children embrace what knowledge and skills they get at this age. They have little choice. They cannot refuse or object to anything,” he said.

Al-Dahyan said children are also prone to being influenced by their peers and picking up poor habits, adding that this can be dangerous. “They start sharing behavioral traits with other students through their interaction ... they sometimes accept types of behavior without knowing whether they are good or bad,” he said.

He also cited the example of smoking.  “A child sees some of his classmates smoke. His friend invites him to also take a smoke, saying only men smoke. This influences the child and he starts smoking,” he said, adding that according to recent figures, children between the ages of seven and nine are also smoking.

Al-Dahyan said most students start smoking and taking drugs because they want to experiment.

“Students first enter the world of drug abuse because they want to experiment. This perhaps follows a classmate’s persuasion. He does not have the ability to realize the negative aspects of drug abuse at this particular period of time,” said Al-Dahyan.

He stressed the need for helping students to acquire interaction and decision-making skills so that they can be enlightened on the negativities of drug abuse. “There should be intensive awareness programs to highlight the harm caused by drugs and tobacco,” said Al-Dahyan, while underscoring the joint responsibility of schools, families and society as a whole.

Al-Moshref said that there should be massive efforts on three levels to safeguard the younger generation from drug abuse. “Firstly, there should be individual attention to protect each child intellectually, psychologically and physically. Secondly, special rules and regulations need to be enacted to protect students from coming into contact with drug dealers in schools,” he said.

“Thirdly, measures should be taken to engage students in creative activities or entertainments during their leisure hours,” he added.

He also underlined the importance of spreading such programs through official bodies.