RIYADH: Saudi Customs put on an intensive campaign to educate children against the use of drugs at the Yanbu Summer Festival.

Madi Al-Hamidi Al-Harbi told children about the harmful effects of drugs and urged them not to fall prey to strangers who try to dupe them with things that they do not know about.

He explained that drugs, which have harmful effects, are being smuggled into the country through various illicit means. He said that Saudi Customs have an obligation to tell the masses of the dangers of these drugs, the modes of drug peddling and the punishments meted out to people who deal in illicit drugs.

The festival, which will end on Aug. 15, is a big draw among the local and expatriate communities in the region.

About 40 percent of Saudi students become drug addicts because of the increased use of narcotics during exam times. It happens because parents and guardians put pressure on them to score high marks and these drugs help them stay awake to study.

According to Dr. Nizar Al-Saleh, consultant of the National Committee to Combat Drugs, some children are given the impression that certain narcotics help them memorize well and stay awake during the night.

He said Captagon pills are sold among students by different names. “Children with weak personalities, who do not receive proper care and guidance at homes and schools, fall victims to drug traffickers,” he said.

Al-Saleh said drugs give false notions to children that they will sharpen their memory.

“Actually they weaken them and cause them to perform poorly in exams,” the consultant said. He said a shortage of experts to deal with drug addicts has a negative impact on youths.

He urged patents to closely watch their children to protect them from drug peddlers. “Tension during exams is one of the main reasons Saudi students use drugs,” Al-Saleh pointed out.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has urged imams to focus on the harmful effects of narcotics in their Friday sermons.

An imam in a mosque in Riyadh said smoking and drug addiction have become major social problems affecting society in terms of security, safety and moral values.