Anti-narcotics community partnership conference opens

Manama, Sept. 23(BNA): Under the patronage of Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, a conference on the community partnership in fighting narcotics commenced on Monday. Inaugurated by the Chief of Public Security, Major-General Tariq Al Hassan, the conference will continue until September 25 with the participation of representatives from the GCC anti-narcotics directorates and experts and media personalities from inside and outside Bahrain. The Chief welcomed the attendees and conveyed the greetings of HE Interior Minister. He highlighted that fighting narcotics is a priority of the security and community work as part of a comprehensive strategy between government and non-government organisations to tackle the growing drug-related risks. He highlighted the health, social, economic and security implications of narcotics in modern societies because of technology advancement that leads to massive development in communication and transportation. He explained that such advancements had improved the drug dealing and trafficking capabilities of criminals. The Chief said that all international reports confirm the developing issue of the misuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances and the increase in the numbers of narcotic users and addicts. The exploitation of narcotics and psychotropic substances requires the activation of the role of the community and family to support anti-narcotics efforts and the achievement of a real community partnership that ensures the success of efforts to deal with the issue. It is an international approach announced by the General Assembly of the United Nations, he said, noting the essentiality of a national strategy that divides roles and responsibilities between members of the local community and the state organisations. The conference comes as part of the recommendations of the first conference that was held in Bahrain on 26-28 June 2018 to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Chief said that this year conference was unique because of its essential topics that tackle different aspects of the community partnership in facing challenges and hinders. He highlighted Bahrain’s pioneer experience of the launching of the National Anti-drug and Psychotropic Substances Strategy in June 2015 by HE Interior Minister. The strategy works to reduce the demands on narcotics and motivate partners to take up their responsibilities. The Chief also highlighted the Maan "Together" programme against addiction and violence that was launched in 2011 to promote youth to avoid abuse and addiction at schools. He said that the programme had succeeded in protecting youth through the activation of the role of the community partnership. The programme covers 173 schools of a total of 300 government and private education institutions. Around 120000 students have benefited from the programme and 100 community police personnel have been rehabilitated to be trainers. The Chief concluded by expressing thanks and appreciation to the organisers and the participants in the event, wishing them fruitful discussions. The conference reviews some papers, including the nature of narcotic problems in Bahrain, efforts of GCC security authorities, community partnership programmes to fight narcotics and addiction rehabilitation. The conference aims to shed light on the risk of narcotics on society and how to fight drug-related problems. Along with encouraging anti-drug research and studies and awareness activities.