“A recent plan for the women programs was approved by the assistant minister of Interior for security affairs. It aims to build women’s awareness and provide teachers, social workers and student counselors with necessary and comprehensive information on the dangers of drugs and their impact on health, society and the economy,” said Khashoggi.

She added that the women’s team implemented a number of tailor-made programs in Jazan, Hail, Madinah, Jubail, Tabuk and Qassim.

Khashoggi said the team presented specialized workshops and lectures that all sectors of society would benefit from in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, universities and philanthropic societies.

In accordance with the approved plan, other programs will be implemented by accredited trainers from the women’s department in different provinces of the Kingdom, Khashoggi pointed out. “The goal is to establish well-studied programs that — apart from building social awareness about the long-term negative impact of drug abuse on society — will enhance the skills of the student counselors to detect students exposed to abuse, live in an addictive environment or have become addicts themselves,” said Khashoggi. She added that the upcoming programs also aimed at providing the counselors with the latest findings and information about narcotics smuggling and dealing.

The counselor, Khashoggi stressed, was also trained to accept students’ various characteristics, while focusing on directing and advising them in a manner suitable to their age category.