The Interior Ministry will hold a workshop here next week with top local and international experts to tackle drug smuggling and use in the Kingdom.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, who is also chairman of the National Committee for Narcotics Control (NCNC), has set up the workshop.

It is entitled “National and Global Strategies to Fight Drugs and Mental Stimulants,” and will be run by the NCNC secretariat in cooperation with Prince Naif University for Security Sciences, on Feb. 22 and 23, at the university’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The workshop will be attended by directors of anti-narcotics departments across the country. Abdulilah bin Mohammad Al-Sharif, secretary-general of the NCNC, said the workshop is aimed at working out a national plan for government to tackle the scourge of drugs.

Several international experts are expected to attend, including from the United Nations. Al-Sharif said the role of the NCNC is to support private and government establishments with a scientific plan.

Al-Sharif said speakers include George Shaw, who would outline the European strategy to counter smuggling and distribution. Eve Jebo from France would present a paper about drug trafficking and consumption.

The participants would also look at how other countries have countered the drug menace, he said.