Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional and international arenas. Al-Riyadh and Al-Yaum newspapers reported in their editorials that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia exerts exceptional efforts to combat drugs. Saudi Arabia believes drugs are extremely dangerous. Thus, the Kingdom was one of the first countries that confronted this destructive lesion through various methods and comprehensive plans. On Saturday, the world commemorated the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, coinciding June 26, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was keen to mark this day through various ways and activities. Saudi Arabia focuses on raising awareness about drugs that threaten the society's security, health, social and economic stability. Recognizing the importance of prevention and strengthening the immunity of society from the scourge of drugs, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) works on well thought-out plans to arrest the drug dealers and cooperates with the concerned government agencies to raise awareness among citizens about the with the harms of drugs and ways to prevent them. This is in addition to coordinating efforts with neighboring countries to limit the cross-border flow of narcotics. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also implements various awareness programs including holding lectures and organizing exhibitions, and presenting educational messages in various written and audio-visual formats to create social awareness among all members of society, and activate the new digital and social media platforms to reach the largest segment of society to get them acquainted with the harms of drugs, the newspaper added. In recognition of the high status and international confidence that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys, as well as its record of successes at the global and international levels in various fields, Saudi Arabia has won a seat on the United Nations Commission on Drugs and Crime (CND) for the period 2022-2025. This position reaffirms Saudi Arabia's long experience and achievements in combating drugs and organized crimes, as this will be an important support for the United Nations and the members of the committee in this field, the newspapers further said. Saudi Arabia's tremendous efforts resulted in foiling many attempts to smuggle drugs. Moreover, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts are still continuing in this regard and will not stop, the newspapers concluded. In another context, Al-Bilad newspaper said in its editorial that the Saudi Summer Program 2021, 'Summer Vibes' kicked off. Running across 11 destinations from June 24 until the end of September, 'Summer Vibes' will offer more than 500 tourist experiences through the Visit Saudi platform with 250 private sector partners. In this regard, the newspaper pointed to the statement of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb an Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority on the occasion of launching the Saudi Summer Program 2021. He said: "The launch of the Saudi Summer Program this year highlights the determination of the tourism sector in the Kingdom, despite the ongoing challenges facing the global tourism sector, to edge closer to achieving our ambitious goals." The minister added "In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to cement Saudi's position as one of the most important tourist destinations in the region, the launch of the Saudi Summer program is a key contributor to strengthening the efforts of the tourism sector, to develop our destinations, provide investment opportunities, create permanent and seasonal jobs to local communities, and contribute to advancing economic and social development in the Kingdom."
