The National Anti-Drug Committee has unveiled three alarming tactics employed by drug dealers aimed at luring children and teenagers into drug use. These strategies have been identified by security agencies as particularly concerning. The first method involves dissolving narcotics within A4 paper, allowing traffickers to transport and distribute drugs more discreetly. Additionally, some criminals are infusing candies with illicit substances. The third tactic, termed “unknown orders,” sees drugs delivered as gifts through courier services from unrecognised numbers, raising significant red flags regarding safety.
Awareness Initiatives and Family Responsibilities
In an effort to combat these deceptive practices, the committee is actively disseminating information through its digital platforms, warning families about the insidious methods used by drug dealers to lure youth. Effective community protection begins at home, with parents encouraged to remain vigilant and proactive in educating their children about the dangers of substance abuse.
The Family as the First Line of Defence
The committee stresses that the family serves as the primary defence against the dangers threatening community safety, acting as the strongest emotional fortress to shield children from drug addiction. Achieving this requires three fundamental pillars: awareness, stability, and support.
Research indicates that families experiencing ongoing conflict and emotional detachment significantly increase the risk of their children turning to drugs, with such environments elevating that risk by up to 50%. Conversely, maintaining simple daily routines, such as sharing regular meals, can reduce the likelihood of engaging in dangerous behaviours by 33%, fostering a sense of psychological security and emotional stability.
Recognising Early Signs
As part of its ongoing digital awareness campaign, the committee highlights the need for families to recognise that addiction is a disease requiring care and intervention. They caution that family breakdown creates fertile ground for children to slip away from parental oversight, making them easier targets for negative influences.
The committee asserts that homes should be places of safety and security, where open dialogue acts as a sturdy bridge guiding children towards positive outcomes and shielding them from threats. Parents are urged to be alert to early signs of behavioural changes and to act swiftly to seek constructive solutions and provide nurturing support.
Resources and Support Services
Additionally, the committee encourages the use of the “Hasan” service via the toll-free number 80044, which offers secure channels for reporting and assistance, ensuring complete confidentiality for users and their families seeking help.
The recent nationwide campaign launched in collaboration with the UAE Government’s Media Office, titled “United for the Elimination of the Epidemic,” has successfully garnered significant community engagement through digital platforms. It aims to enhance awareness and strengthen community partnerships while fostering a complete rejection of substance abuse among the youth.
Focus Areas of the Campaign
This campaign is focused on three key areas: Firstly, recognising the family as the first line of defence with a vital role in protecting children through enhanced trust, communication, and support at home. Secondly, empowering youth by increasing awareness, building self-confidence, and encouraging them to decisively reject anything that threatens their health and future. Thirdly, the educational sector is highlighted as a crucial partner in instilling awareness and positive behavioural values in students.
Concerns About E-Cigarettes
The National Anti-Drug Committee also cautions that drug addiction can creep in through the use of e-cigarettes, reaffirming that familial awareness is a critical defence. The committee is making substantial efforts at local and regional levels to combat the promotion of drugs via vaping and to hold offenders accountable. Relevant authorities are actively promoting a community culture against smoking and vaping through targeted awareness campaigns that reach various age groups.