Bahraini Ambassador to USA participates in major conference

Washington, July 13 (BNA): Bahraini Ambassador to the USA Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa participated as a keynote speaker in the 31st D.A.R.E International Training Conference at an invitation by the officials in charge of the event in recognition of the tremendous efforts made by Bahrain to fight violence and addiction and protect youngsters through raising awareness and education. In a speech delivered at the conference, the Bahraini ambassador stressed Bahrain’s pioneering steps in combating violence and addiction within the framework of community partnership based on laying bridges of communication between the security officers and the students. He pointed out measures taken by the kingdom to raise the youth’s awareness of the need to fight drug addiction, avoid violence and take the right decision. He also pointed out the kingdom’s efforts to boost community partnership which derives its principles from the reform project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Shaikh Abdullah noted that Bahrain was the first country in the region to take part in the 25th D.A.R.E International Training Conference which was held in Atlanta city, in Georgia, the USA. This cooperation, he added, led to launching “Ma’an” programme in Bahrain which has become a model to emulate internationally. He also lauded the tremendous efforts of the National Anti-narcotics Committee, led by Interior Minister Lt. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, in combating violence and drug addiction and bringing negative behaviour at schools down by 54% over the past three years. “Ma’an” programme was launched in 2011 at an initiative by Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa and in cooperation with D.A.R.E. Shaikh Abdullah was then Southern Governor and member of the National Anti-narcotics Committee. More than 68,000 students has taken part in the programme since its inception and received educational programmes in preventing violence and drug addiction.