Mum seeks police help for drug addict son

dubai — A mother has approached the Dubai Police to help her teenaged son stop using drugs, said Dr Juma Sultan Al Shamsi, director of awareness and prevention at the General Department of Anti-Narcotic of the Dubai Police.

He said that the mother sought the help of the Dubai Police to save her son from the clutches of drugs. She told the police that her son started using drugs in bad company, taking advantage of the fact that his parents are divorced and he was living with his mother.

Anti-narcotic officials talked to the teenager and asked him to utilise the new provisions of law in his favour. Article 43 of the in the Federal Law No. 8 for the year 2016, and amendment of provisions of Federal law No. 14 of 1996 on narcotics and psychotropic substances give opportunity to those who approach the police to get treatment without being treated as a criminal. The law also gives parents an important role in protecting their children from drug abuse. The drug users who voluntarily give in to the police will be subjected to periodic tests and continuous follow-up.

If the drug user or his relatives voluntarily approach the police to get rid of the addiction, no criminal case will be recorded against the user. After the amendment in the law, the police have found many parents approaching antidrug units to get treatment for their children, said Al Shamsi.

He stressed that the law gives an opportunity for those who wish to change their lives to be more useful for the community by getting rid of drug use. “The Dubai Police give special attention to parents who are keen to help their children. The police are keen to give treatment for their children and would help them return to the community through creating job opportunities and providing training.

Al Shamsi pointed out that parents or drug users who want approach the police can call on tollfree number 901.