By Ohood Suleiman Al Naqbi
Sharjah Police launched an anti-drug awareness platform under the theme “Protecting the Individual, Safeguarding Society” in cooperation with City Centre Al Zahia. The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of Major General Omar Ahmed Bu Al Zoud, Director General of the General Department of Criminal Security and Ports Affairs; Brigadier Faisal bin Nassar, Director General of the General Department of Community Protection and Prevention; Brigadier Khalid Al Kai, Director of Traffic and Patrols Directorate; Brigadier Majid Sultan Al Asam, Director of Directorate of Anti-Narcotics and Prevention; along with senior officers and officials.
Running until 5 July, the initiative aims to raise community awareness of the dangers of drugs while promoting a culture of prevention and public safety.
The platform features a range of interactive exhibits and awareness activities highlighting the health, social, and security risks associated with drug abuse, as well as the latest prevention methods through a comprehensive educational guide. Visitors can also benefit from the Traffic Black Points Reduction Initiative throughout the event, encouraging greater community participation in awareness programs while promoting social responsibility.
A specially designed interactive game allows children and teenagers to move through a series of educational stations where they make decisions by choosing the right or wrong path. The experience reinforces the message that making the right choices is the best protection against drug abuse through an engaging, hands-on learning approach suitable for different age groups.
The event also includes legal awareness sessions on Article 89 of the UAE Decree-Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which allows individuals struggling with drug or psychotropic substance use to voluntarily seek treatment. Requests may be submitted by the individual, second-degree relatives, or
the educational institution they attend, subject to the applicable legal procedures. Eligible individuals are admitted to a specialized treatment facility until they are medically cleared for discharge, reflecting the UAE’s humanitarian approach that prioritizes treatment and rehabilitation before criminal accountability, in accordance with the law.
The platform also highlights the dedicated toll-free hotline 8004654 for reporting drug-related information and seeking advice. The confidential service provides a safe channel for the public to report information that contributes to protecting the community and combating the spread of drugs.
Brigadier Majid Sultan Al Asam, Director of Directorate of Anti-Narcotics and Prevention, said the initiative reflects Sharjah Police’s commitment to promoting prevention as the cornerstone of combating drugs and raising awareness of their impact on individuals, families, and society. He stressed that community awareness is the first line of defense against drugs and called for continued cooperation between institutions, families, and individuals to strengthen prevention efforts, encourage reporting, and safeguard the security and wellbeing of the community.