Dubai Police is concerned about the welfare of its teenagers and citizens. Recently, a 19-year-old student escorted a sick relative on a trip to Europe and encountered bad company that introduced her to drugs and soon, she was an addict who returned with contacts of drug dealers in Dubai. This led to Dubai Police taking a strict stand against such teenagers and making a public statement warning against drug abuse. After all, getting into bad company can lead to such nefarious activities! It is true that one runs into more risks when one is abroad as the culture in the West is more liberal towards drugs and has fewer laws regulating them.
Dubai and the federal government of the United Arab Emirates are tackling the country's drug problem for quite some time now. A lot of drug dealers operate on the sly in Dubai, and these leave a permanent mark on the psyche of people. No doubt that drugs can jeopardize the youth and ruin their lives and careers.
Recent reports suggest that the problem comes to Dubai via other countries. A flood of Westerners and Asians, also means the importation of drug culture into the Emirates, presenting the government with unexpected problems. Drugs from Afghanistan and Iran on their way to Europe and the Arab world flow through Dubai, taking advantage of the city's openness and globalization. From 2003 to 2005 the police recorded a threefold increase in the number of arrests for drug smuggling to 164, most of them at the airport.
In public campaigns and speeches, Dubai's police and public health officials are moving past stigma, openly discussing a problem they admit could grow far worse in coming decades if left alone. Government-run rehabilitation centers allow first-time offenders and those who turn themselves in, the chance to clean up, undergo therapy and get help finding a new job. Advertising campaigns remind drug users of the toll drugs are taking on their lives.
Dubai police's concern is indeed the right thing, as drug abuse is a serious problem. To address this problem head on, takes courage and sincere effort. The police have risen to the occasion by making a statement against teenagers who casually take drugs and ruin their lives. It is taking a step in the right direction, and this measure can only be beneficial in the long run.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
