Community solidarity key to combat ‘drug menace’: Bahrain MP Masooma

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The drug menace is directly related to individual, family and society as a whole, so it is important to raise awareness about community solidarity to solve this problem.

This was emphasised by Deputy Dr Masooma bint Hassan Abdel Rahim as the Kingdom of Bahrain joined the global observance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Saturday. The event, which is also known as World Drug Day, is marked on the 26th of June of every year with the aim of boosting awareness and strengthening action and cooperation to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking. This year, the theme is ‘Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives’.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the motive is to combat misinformation by sharing real facts on drugs — from health risks and solutions for the world drug problem to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care.

MP Rahim said through community solidarity, the spread of drugs can be prevented and it will achieve many positive and health benefits for society, as well as protect the generation from the spread of this scourge. She stressed the importance of enlightening parents about the drugs problem and teaching them how to protect their children from it.

Dr Masooma pointed out that this scourge must be addressed, starting with family supervision of children and family counselling. She also underlined the complementary role of the Ministry of Education through its counselling programmes in schools and the importance of its continuation for the benefit of children and young people.

MP Rahim expressed her pride in the efforts made by the Ministry of Interior and its contributions under the leadership of Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and all the Ministry’s employees in curbing the spread of drugs in the Kingdom. On the special occasion, she said that Bahrain has made many efforts and measures to confront and limit the spread of drugs in society, and has achieved many successes in addressing this problem by communicating with various responsible authorities.

She indicated that the Interior Ministry has sustained its awareness campaigns, sending text messages to all citizens and residents on the importance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. MP Rahim highlighted the Ministry’s continuous work to solve the drug problem even during this time of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Concerted efforts are something we aspire for, while we look forward to continuous efforts to carry out awareness campaigns aimed at achieving the desired goals to show the dangers caused by drug abuse and the means to combat it through the available channels,” said MP Rahim.

She supports more programmes to support those people who have recovered and returned to normal life after getting hooked on drugs. It is important to publish stories about their battle with this scourge and how they were able to overcome it, in addition to encouraging families to support their children and reintegrate them into society again, she added.

Dr Masooma praised the efforts made by the fellowship of addicts, which has made great efforts since its inception, and the great importance of their presence in psychotherapy and support.