JEDDAH, 27 June 2007 — In line with other countries in the world, Saudi Arabia is today marking the “World Anti-Drugs Day” with a series of events to create awareness about the physical, psychological and social dangers of drugs.
The events, which are running under the theme “Your Life. Your Community... No Place for Drugs,” are being held by a number of organizations.
The staff at the Al-Amal Hospital — including doctors, psychologists, religious counselors and social workers — will be making extra efforts in educating people about drugs.
“The hospital annually marks the World Anti-Drugs Day. Patients positively react to the occasion since the slogans on the banners reflect their experience with drugs,” said Dr. Mohammed Shawoosh, general supervisor for programs at Al-Amal Hospital.
The hospital is also holding various exhibitions (including a mobile one) to raise awareness and advertise its services to drug abusers and addicts. “People think that this hospital is a jail and that people get in and get tortured. It is totally the opposite,” Shawoosh said.
A mobile exhibition run by the hospital will offer quick consultation and show members of the public how the hospital operates. It will also distribute the hospital’s hotline number for people to access further information.
“We want people to know that drug addiction is a problem that can be solved and that there is a center where people can get help. We have printed brochures and a booklet about the hospital entitled ‘The Ship of Hope’ to let people know more about us,” said Shawoosh.
Al-Amal Hospital’s mobile exhibition is beginning today at 9 a.m. starting at the hospital passing through the Al-Musadia district and reaching Al-Mahmal Mall in the downtown Balad area of Jeddah. The exhibition will then return to the hospital through King Fahd Road and Palestine Street.
In Abu Dhabi, marking the Anti-Drug Day, police have set up anti-drug campaign exhibition and awareness programs at different locations. The main venue was at the marina mall where Maj. Gen. Saeed Obaid Al-Mazroui, deputy commander of the Abu Dhabi police, inaugurated the events.
Specially designed anti-drug campaign catalogs and posters were displayed and distributed among various segments of the society.
SMS highlighting anti-drug messages are being sent widely to various communities. Many organizations from the capital are participating in the campaign along with various departments of Abu Dhabi police.
“Police have arrested 272 suspects in 178 drug-related cases in 2005 and 319 persons were subjected to tests. More than 250 persons were arrested in 172 cases in 2006,” said Lt. Col. Ali Mohammed Al-Shamsi, head of the anti narcotic department at the general headquarters of Abu Dhabi police.
