RIYADH – Interior Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Naif has approved a national strategic plan to combat drugs. The plan will include various programs that will be implemented in collaboration with 25 various government departments. The strategy will target the general public, especially 5 million students in the Kingdom. Abdulilah Bin Mohammed Al-Sharif, assistant to the director of the Directorate General to Combat Drugs, said: “The Kingdom has been a target for drug gangs and mafia. “The security organizations are doing their best to stop drug smuggling and trafficking to prevent drugs from reaching citizens and foreigners.” He said the directorate focuses on apprehending traffickers, foiling money laundering operations and raising public awareness about the hazards of narcotics. He added: “Drugs have become a grave issue facing all countries of the world. “It has widely spread in the Arab world despite concerted local, regional and international efforts to eliminate this menace. “The Kingdom is one of the countries targeted by dealers but the government is keen on shielding the country and citizens against this evil.” Al-Sharif said the plan, under the slogan “For You”, aims to focus on religious and patriotic values to encourage people to reject drugs. He said the strategy would involve setting up a website in Arabic, English, French and Urdu to raise awareness about the adverse effects of narcotics. The website will feature information about international plans and strategies to tackle drugs. He said: “There will also be a national prevention program targeting more than 5 million students in 25,000 government and public schools as well as 42 male and 43 female education departments. Al-Sharif said there would be a special website (www.wiqaiya.com) solely dedicated to the youth. The site will be linked to various social media where all information about drugs can be accessed. He said: “We will produce five television spots and establish 20 exhibitions of which seven have already been completed to enlighten people about drug abuse.” He said there would also be 26 television programs featuring a famous soccer star and six soccer-loving children in addition to an animated film on the issue of drugs. Al-Sharif said more than 2 million pamphlets on drugs will be published and distributed in schools, women clubs and military organizations. “We will organize an international symposium on drugs and hold a number of workshops in addition to media campaigns to focus on drug hazards.”
