Dubai saves 365 persons from addiction
DUBAI: The Dubai Police’s Anti-narcotic Department recently revealed interesting developments of their drug control mission, in which officials pointed out that in 2017, about 365 drug addicts were handed over to police by their families to receive necessary treatment.
Brigadier Eid Mohammad Thani Hareb, Director of Anti-narcotic Department, said that UAE’S drug law is opening doors for parents to protect their addict family members without any legal actions; thus, allowing more addicts to step forward and admit their problem in order to solve it.
In 2019, a number of 160 addicts had turned themselves in, while in 2018 there were 121 addicts and 75 addicts in 2017.
Moreover, 40 out of last year’s 160 addicts were handed over by police to their families to be admitted in rehabilitation centers. After receiving treatment, police discharge their cases to live a normal healthy life.
Brig. Hareb added, “Addicts are supervised by counsellors who follow-up and conduct regular medical check-ups for a full year; and at times, addicts receive surprise calls to do the check-up.”
The UAE’S drug law protects drug users from being charged with a criminal case as long as they come forward and admit their need of treatment.
Major-general Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, pointed out that this law greatly contributes in fighting narcotics in an extremely positive step, to help build a better future for all drug addicts and maintain security of the UAE community.
“Dubai Police are not only concerned with arresting drug dealers to achieve drug control, but also treat and help drug users to maintain their safety and security of others around them,” said Maj. Gen. Al Mansouri.
In addition, Colonel Abdullah Al Khayat, Manager of Hemaya International Centre at
Dubai Police, pointed that the addicts’ families must inform authorities of their children’s need of treatment to actually benefit from UAE’S drug law.
Article 43 of the Anti-narcotics Law spares addicts from legal punishment if they voluntarily give themselves up to police. The law also imposes upon addicts to hand over drugs in possession, and receive treatment. Addicts will face legal charges if they refuse to get treated.