Sharjah: Drugs are public enemy number one, a top Sharjah Police official says.
In an interview with Gulf News on the ongoing battle to fight drug abuse in the emirate, Brigadier Mohammad Eid Al Madhloum, Director-General of Police Operations at Sharjah Police, said police are working round the clock to keep youngsters safe from traffickers.
“The UAE has a zero tolerance policy towards illegal drug use and drug trafficking is a serious offence. The rate of illegal drug use in the UAE is low compared with international standards.
“Possession of the smallest amount of any illegal drug is punishable by a minimum of four years’ imprisonment,” Brigadier Al Madhloum said.
The renewed war on drugs in schools, on the streets and in public places is more important than ever, he added. He said authorities are fighting for the souls and minds of the next generation.
The drug problem is under control despite the high-tech methods used by traffickers.
The UAE is considered the first country in the Arab world and the fourth globally in identifying new drug trafficking trends and countering illicit production, trafficking and drug abuse.
Brigadier Al Madhloum said the most commonly used and trafficked drugs in the UAE are hashish, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine-type drugs and prescription drugs. Drugs are not cultivated or produced in the UAE, Brigadier Al Madhloum said.
Pain relievers are the most common type of narcotic, which are taken illicitly and are the most common cause of overdoses, he said.
The path of drug addiction can ultimately end in two ways — either the person will die or he will end up in jail, Brigadier Al Madhloum warned.
“We have aborted many plans of drug traffickers in promoting drugs in the UAE among the youth,” said Brigadier Al Madhloum, adding that anti-narcotics departments in the UAE are “working hard to ensure the safety of society and arresting drug traffickers before they are able to affect the younger generation”.
Brigadier Al Madhloum warned that trafficking drugs — especially to young people — will attract tough penalties, including the death sentence.
He praised the efforts and cooperation between the various police departments in the UAE who play a significant role in maintaining security and helping arrest those who pose a risk to society.
Brigadier Al Madhloum said the Ministry of Interior has made a significant commitment towards building drug control institutions and conducting counter-narcotics law enforcement operations.
Role of parents
“Our work is very sensitive in nature. All staff who work with the drug enforcement department are required to have certain talents as well as the ability to read body language in order to identify drug smugglers,” he said.
“The main challenge the police face is the promotion of drugs over the internet and, in particular, on social networking sites. We have found a number of shipments that contained drugs. Many drug dealers buy drugs via the internet and send money online. Many websites promote different types of narcotic substances or controlled medicine,” he added.
Delegations including officials from police departments and the Ministry of Interior attend global conferences on how to combat drug abuse, which aim to assess the extent of the problem, exchange information on the latest investigative techniques and strengthen cooperation within the law enforcement community.
Parents can play a role in ensuring their children do not get lured into taking drugs.
“They should keep a close eye on their children as ignoring or neglecting them could lead them into drug addiction. Family bonds have a big role in protecting children from drug abuse.”
Brigadier Al Madhloum urged parents to encourage their children to talk freely with them, listen to them carefully, explain to them the risk of taking drugs and what the consequences can be,
He urged parents to constantly monitor the company their children keep.
He said that Sharjah Police have fanned out through government buildings and private schools to encourage anti-drug messages, and educate students on the risks of taking drugs.
In 2013, Sharjah Police’s anti-narcotics department launched an Instagram account. The portal aims to enhance communication with the public and allow people to post information and potential security issues anonymously. The service has generated a great number of tip-offs. The move followed the launch of Sharjah Police’s interactive Twitter and Facebook portals and YouTube channel.
Brigadier Al Madhloum urged community members to report drug cases on 800 4654, or the officer on duty on 056 1188272 or the toll-free number Najeed 800 151.
