Bahrain marks UN International Day against Drug Abuse

Manama, June 25 (BNA): Bahrain will tomorrow join other nations in marking the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26. Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa stressed the importance of the annual event, being held this year under the theme "Listen First". In a message on this occasion he said that the UN Day reflects the keenness of the world to tackle this scourge and build a drug-free international community. The minister underlined Bahrain’s unflinching resolve to combat drug trafficking, citing in this regard the national anti-narcotics strategy which was launched in 2015. He underlined the importance of dedicated efforts, efficient initiatives and legislations which paid off as they played a crucial role in the fight against drugs. He commended the anti-narcotics directorate and the customs affairs which confiscated more than 75 kilogrammes of drugs in 2015. The minister said that a total of 1060 drug-related cases were surveyed last year. Citing updated figures, he said that 287 cases were documented in the first quarter of this year, involving more than 15 kilogrammes of drugs. .