Drugs more evil than terrorism

Drugs are dangerous and can threaten social security, so Saudis need to be cautious, said Prince Saud bin Fahd, chairman of the executive committee at Princess Al-Anood Philanthropic Foundation (PAPF).
He inked the foundation’s anti-narcotics action plan for joint interactive programs and projects with the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics (GDA) on Tuesday.
Prince Saud referred to the late Prince Naif, who spearheaded the drive against terrorism and narcotics by declaring, “drugs are a greater evil than terrorism.” Prince Saud pointed out that the joint programs and projects between the PAPF and GDA will contribute to the exchange of experience in the field of prevention and promote cooperation in the task of reducing drug abuse leading to addiction.
A Saudi workforce would be developed to work in the field and enhance cooperation in several areas, such as the drive launched by Prince Mohammed bin Fahd in the Eastern Province via “salvation,” a large project in the field of prevention of addiction and reduction of drug demand.
“It is the responsibility of everyone, whether at school or at home, to prevent drug abuse. The family has a major role to play in this regard as part of a unified force,” said Prince Saud.
According to PAPF secretary general, Yousef Othman Al-Huzaim, the foundation will launch special programs in collaboration with international institutions. It will kick off this drive with the introduction of a diploma, the first in the field of prevention of addiction. The Applied Diploma for Specialist Prevention of Addiction, or “Rami”, will be awarded in collaboration with the American Organization International Substance Abuse & Addiction Coalition (ISAAC).
This diploma would also contribute to raising the efficiency of the workforce by applying the best modern practices in the field of drug abuse prevention and behavioral risk on the ground. Al-Huzaim noted that this diploma came as a fruit of cooperation between the institution and its international partners in the area, including ISAAC.
Maj. Gen. Othman bin Nasser Al-Muhrij of the GDA, said that anyone who reported on information about drug activities would not be questioned. He would be treated as dear and respected brother. We would treat his information in confidence, he stressed.
He said even those who have been affected by drugs, and those who need rehabilitation and cure would be treated at one of the mental health hospitals. He would be provided assistance and treatment in line with the interior minister’s instructions. He would not be charged with crimes if he did not commit a criminal offense.
“If he wished to provide us information that would lead us to drug financier that is every body’s duty, but we will not ask questions until he recovers from addiction. If he recovered and gave us information, we would take it seriously,” Al-Muhrij said.
“This is the clear policy of the Interior Ministry. Minister Prince Mohammad bin Naif always emphasized that the small group of drug abusers are patients and those who did not commit crimes would be taken care of and would be treated with due care.”
He attributed the quantity and quality in the decrease of drug seizures to the success of outreach programs that enlighten the youth on the drug abuse hazards and analysis of the scourge of drugs.
Other reasons could be credited to the efforts many state departments and not the GDA only. “The GDA works together with the Customs Department, the Border Guards and security services and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
“These are in addition to all security authorities and also every citizen in our country. They are our official partners in the fight against drugs, either by reporting or informing us about anything they come across,” said Al-Muhrij.
Sometimes drug pushers falsely claim that some drugs help students while studying. “These are illusions. The satanic effect of drug abuse is very harmful to the health.
The mental harm is even more dangerous. The Ministry of Health and our laboratories in the GDA issued reports, proving that Captagon tablets are poisoned and mixed with a substance that destroys brain cells and affects the nervous system in particular,” said Al-Muhrij.
“I tell all parents and warn my children and relatives as well as students of all stages to be aware of the dangers of drugs and be alert to the illusions of what is said about such tablets. They are a big risk to them, their family and society at large.”