World Anti-Drug Day to be observed today

Manama : Bahrain willtoday join other nations in marking the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26. Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa stressed the importance of the annual event, being held this year under the theme “Listen First”. 

In a message on this occasion, the Minister said that the UN Day reflects the keenness of the world to tackle this scourge and build a drug-free international community.

The Minister underlined Bahrain’s unflinching resolve to combat drug trafficking, citing in this regard the national anti-narcotics strategy, which was launched in 2015. Shaikh Rashid underlined the importance of dedicated efforts, efficient initiatives and legislations, which paid off as they played a crucial role in the fight against drugs. 

He also commended the Anti-Narcotics Directorate and the Customs Affairs, which confiscated more than 75 kilogrammes of drugs in 2015. The Interior Minister said that a total of 1060 drug-related cases were surveyed last year. 

Citing updated figures, he said that 287 cases were documented in the first quarter of this year, involving more than 15 kilogrammes of drugs.

By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.