Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM – The anti-drug administration is currently studying the possibility of reinstating drug addicts and dealers to their military or civilian jobs after they finish rehabilitation and serve their jail sentences. Director General of the Drug Combat Department in the Eastern Province Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Jameel disclosed this while inaugurating an exhibition in Al-Shatie Mall in Dammam to commemorate the International Day Against Drugs. Maj. Gen. Al-Jameel said his department couldn't force any military or civilian authority to reinstate repentant drug dealers or addicts even if he has served his penalty and was awarded a certificate of good conduct from Al-Amal hospitals or Saudi prisons, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported Thursday. “The matter of reinstating an addict, who has been rehabilitated, is a duty for all, especially since he has been awarded a certificate of good conduct. He should be reinstated to his job or provided a job in the government or private sector so that he does not return to his old habit.” He confirmed that the Drug Combat Department has helped over 500 male and female former addicts find employment in government and private sectors. He promised to employ all recovered female addicts in the private sector in coordination with several national companies and charitable societies. Maj. Gen. Al-Jameel warned pharmacies and hospitals against selling the controlled drug Tramadol, which is made in southeast Asia and often abused by young Saudis, without prescription. He added that there is coordination with the Ministry of Health so the prescription drug is regulated.
He said whoever is found in possession of the drug without a prescription will be dealt with the way Captagon users are dealt with. He went on to say the Eastern Province ranks fourth among the Saudi regions in terms of the level of drug smuggling. “During recent years drug use has decreased in the Eastern Province because many drug dealers have been arrested. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) patrol units are working round the clock and focus on areas that are known for drug dealing and abuse like Umm Al-Sahek, Al-Khaleej and Thuqbah districts.” Meanwhile, the administration of Al-Amal Hospital in Dammam said Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman have offered jobs for 20 recovered persons to work in their mental health hospitals. It said many recovered persons have been provided jobs in the mental health hospitals and other sectors in the Eastern Province, Riyadh and Jeddah. Rashed Ahmad Al-Zahrani, director of public relations at the hospital, said a delegation representing the four Gulf countries recently paid a visit to the complex, met several recovered drug addicts and selected 20 of them to work in similar complexes. He said the selected individuals have already started their jobs. Some are guides while other work as counselors who talk about the harms of drugs and how to fight addiction.
