In what has been termed by experts as the biggest threat of the century, after terrorism and other environmental predicaments, is drug abuse; or in other words the threat posed by the use of illicit drugs.
Alarmed by the reports on the grave consequences of it and daily news reports depicting its grave situation from various corners of the globe, countries across the world have woken up to the challenge and started working on war footing to restrain it. Drug abuse inflicts immeasurable harm and also threatens the peaceful development and functioning of a society. After all, the economic burden it brings forth hampers national development.
When it comes to Qatar, one can confidently say that the nation is more or less free of this menace, as evidenced by country’s tremendous economic growth, crime-free society, social well being etc thanks to dedicated efforts of government.
Qatar is a way ahead in the fight against drug abuse, as it has already implemented a comprehensive, integrated and multidisciplinary strategy in the fight against illegal drugs, with the Qatari laws prohibiting the entry of illicit drugs into the country, while ensuring the provision of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. Qatar actively voiced against this global threat and also proudly presented its measures against this at various global platforms.
At the meetings of the 61st session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Qatar stressed that the world drug problem continues to pose a serious threat to human health, security, safety and well-being, economic, social and political systems and stability in a growing number of states, as well as undermining the pillars of sustainable development and also called for comprehensive international cooperation to counter this threat.
Qatar attaches greater importance to regional and international cooperation and continues its generous contributions in supporting regional and international drug control programmes.
Recently, in view of the International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) organised an awareness exhibition on the dangers posed by drugs at Mall of Qatar.
According to the Director of Public Security H E Staff Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi, the world’s celebration of International Day Against Drug Abuse gives a clear message on the importance of international efforts to combat drugs as cross-border crimes. He also stressed that the MOI is making significant efforts in organising many awareness exhibitions in cooperation with a number of concerned institutes which have a message to the community members to raise awareness on the dangers of drugs and highlight their role in this field.
Qatar’s efforts underline, its keenness to fight this global threat and it has got a clear vision in this regard. The countries which are desperately fighting drug abuse can take valuable notes from Qatar on how effectively it tackled the challenge.
