Minister lauds efforts to fight narcotics menace

Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif lauded the efforts by the Kingdom in combating narcotics and exchanging information with other regional and international organizations with this regard.
Prince Muhammed made these opening remarks as he inaugurated the second regional symposium for combating drugs in Riyadh yesterday, which is being organized by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC).
Narcotics is a grave problem ailing many countries and communities, and requires the cooperative efforts of the international community to resolve the issue, he said.
He asserted that organizing this symposium highlights the Kingdom’s firm stand against drugs, drawing utmost support from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and Second Deputy Premier.
Maj. Gen. Osman bin Nasir Al-Muhraj, director general of GDNC, said they are keen to integrate information and security efforts in the face of narcotics and benefit from the experiences of other counties.
He said he appreciated efforts exerted by the late Crown Prince Naif in the fight against narcotics. He also welcomed the participating delegates at the symposium.
The symposium is being held in partnership with the United Nations, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in addition to 26 Arab and foreign countries, international organizations and global experts.
The symposium aims to share information and expertise from the participating countries in the fight against drug trafficking, to support international efforts and highlight the Kingdom’s strategy to boost international cooperation against narcotics.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yury Fedotov emphasized the role undertaken by the Kingdom in fighting narcotics in the framework of its regional and international cooperation.