Addressing a meeting of the National Committee to Combat Drugs on Sunday, Prince Naif called for more studies and research to confront the spread of drugs among young Saudi men and women.
“We all know that this is an important issue and its deserves scientific studies by experts. We have adequate facilities for that at our universities and hospitals,” the prince said.
Some Saudi universities have established academic chairs to conduct research on various aspects of drug abuse in the country. “We need more chairs in order to set out an effective strategy to combat drugs in the Kingdom,” he said.
Prince Naif described drugs as the most dangerous evil as it destroys the country’s young men and women. “Our children are the most loved ones for us. What will our condition be if any one of them becomes a victim of drugs?” he asked.
The minister urged parents, teachers and mosque leaders to educate the youth about the danger of drugs in order to protect them and safeguard their present and future.
“We should also utilize the free time of youth and establish sports clubs in residential districts,” the minister said, commending the role of the Customs Department in fighting drugs.
He also called for the establishment of specialized hospitals in various parts of the country to treat drug addicts. “We should conduct a media campaign in a professional manner to educate the public on the dangerous consequences of using drugs.”
Prince Naif later told reporters that participants at the meeting discussed how to protect Saudi society from “the worst epidemic in the world.” He said a report would be presented to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah with the committee’s recommendations on how to prevent drugs from entering the Kingdom, how to deal with drug users and how to enlighten the public.
The committee praised the efforts of the Dr. Nasser Al-Rasheed Program to Protect Against Drugs and the Program of Abdul Latif Jameel Group to train and employ 3,500 Saudis who have been saved from drug addiction.
It also commended the contributions of National Commercial Bank and Saudi Telecom Company toward the success of the government’s campaign against drugs and narcotics.
