Three-hundred police officers from 24 countries will meet in Dubai to share ideas and expertise on fighting the war on drugs.
Dubai Police, in collaboration with the United Nations, will host the three-day Hemaya International Forum on Drug Issues from June 10, which will be attended by officers and experts from 18 Arab countries.
“It is a fact that no country alone, no matter what its societal, political and economical systems and no matter what its size can alone eliminate the problem of drugs,” said Maj Gen Mohammed Saeed Al Marri, director of the Community Service Directorate at Dubai Police.
“This is why it is important to try to benefit from other people’s experiences and work together to reach success. It’s important to note that we are fighting against those who deal drugs, making money off drugs or even kill and not those who are addicts.”
Maj Gen Al Marri said the main objectives of the forum was to identify the importance of a united Arab strategy based on international standards of drug prevention.
Col Eid Mohammed Thani Hareb, director of the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, said a strategy to combat drugs was based on countering supply and demand.
“Through combating supply of drugs there have been great results in reducing the rate of supply of narcotics in the markets, as a result of field operations and inspections.”
He added many people still suffer from addiction.
“It has to do with the individual, whose circumstances vary socially and economically,” said Col Hareb. “Victims of addiction are no longer limited to the lower classes of the community, this is why the role of preventive operations is of no less importance than combat itself. Prevention of these problems is the ideal way to save additional efforts.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae