Under the theme “Drug is Life-Distorting Pain”, the Executive Office of the National Committee for Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances marked onThursday the World Drug Day. The event was held under the patronage of H.H Al Sayyidah Muna Fahad A’al Said, SQU Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation, and with the presence of H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health, at the Grand Mall, Muscat.
Within the celebration, two mobile buses of the Directorate of Narcotics Control were launched with the aim of raising awareness on the impact of Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances. The event likewise included an accompanying exhibition where educational and awareness pamphlets were presented from the EO of National Committee for Narcotics & Psychotropic Substance along with the Directorate of Narcotics Control. Recovered patients from Al Massarah Hospital participated also in this exhibition with number of other concerned authorities that include Ministry of Social Development, Directorate General of Traffic, and Directorate General of Prisons, Al Hayat Association, and Ibri Voluntary Teams leading the (Yes to Life, No to Drug) Campaign.
The event aimed at highlighting the efforts of the National Committee for Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances exerted in preventing the spread of this phenomenon among community as the issue of drug addiction is becoming a burden on health, economy, society, and security. It should be noted that the National Committee for Narcotics & Psychotropic Substances was formed in 2000 by a Ministerial Decision in execution of the Royal Decree No. 17/1999 for issuing of the Narcotics & Psychotropic Control Law. The Committee was afterwards reformed by a decision from the Health Minister issued in January 2016 where the Committee was chaired by H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health.
Remarkable efforts on many levels are being made in tackling and combating the risk Narcotics & Psychotropic Substance. For instance, on the therapeutic level, a number of agreements were signed for the construction of Drug Addicts’ Therapy and Rehab Centers in both Muscat and Sohar by the support of private sector. Currently, preparation are carried out for the opening of the Half Way Houses with a capacity of 50 beds.
Furthermore, the National Committee at the present is adhering to establish a comprehensive National Strategy that involves all aspects associated with narcotics and other psychotropic drugs ranging from the prevention, control, treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance to surveys.
