The State of Qatar represented by the Ministry of Interior is celebrating the World Drugs Prevention Day, which comes on 26th June every year.

"Under the patronage of H. E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of State for Interior Affairs, The State of Qatar is celebrating the World Drugs Prevention Day when the whole countries of the world are celebrating the day. It is an international occasion on 26th of every year as decided by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a symbol to support the efforts in the fight against drugs in various countries around the world" Said Staff Major General. Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi - Director General of Public Security and Head of the Permanent Committee for Drugs and Alcohols Affairs said in a statement to the media on this occasion.

He then added "It also comes to commemorate the occasion to emphasize the support of the State for all international efforts spent in the areas of drug control, toacknowledge the responsibility and as a determination to fight this scourge which displays in various forms in order to eliminate the need to weed them out from its own roots, and effective fight against risks and challenges through methods of prevention, control and treatment".

"The dangerousness of the drugs, its devastating consequences and its expose to the human community has necessitated the creation of a regular work at international level, in which human societies with different colors and trends are taking part for fighting against the problems caused by the drugs, such as individuals who become victims of abuse of such toxins, which's dangers extend and also threaten the entire humanitarian community. For this reason, the State of Qatar has ratified the international treaties concerned with drug control and was keen in activating its role in prevention at international level through working according to the principles and provisions of these agreements" Staff Major General Al Khulaif mentioned.

Commenting on organizing the celebrations on this occasion , He said "Our celebration to the World Drugs Prevention Day comes as a continuation to the march of the Permanent Committee for Drugs and Alcohols Affairs in the field of combating this problem and fight against it and also as an acknowledgement for the responsibility and the missions entrusted on the committee. That is why, the Permanent Committee gave high concern for this problem considering it as a problem that forms threats for the security of the society and its development and hinders its improvement and stability, in addition to its big danger on our youth. For this cause, The Committee studied much legislation, laws and preventive measures and it made practical suggestions and recommendations for taking part in the process of reducing the dangers of the drugs. Like that, the committee also completed the National Strategy for Combating drugs, which is considered as the first strategy for combating drugs in the country and it puts basics for the national work and drafts general policy, plans and necessary programs for its implementation.

The Head of the Permanent Committee for Drugs and Alcohols Affairs concluded his comment emphasizing on the support has been receiving by the relevant security agencies in the country in general and the permanent committee in particular from the officials of the country at all levels and hailed the efforts of all those involved in anti-drug activities and appreciated their strong and decisive opposition to all attempts for smuggling and promotion of the drugs and discourage such criminal schemes

It is worth to quote here that, the permanent committee will be organizing a seminar on the topic "International efforts for the prevention of Opium" for commemorating this occasion on Wednesday, 24/6/2009 at 9.00 am in the Grand Hayat Hotel, Doha. Dr. Salih Mahmoud Al Saad, Technical Director of the Arabian Office for Drugs Affairs under the Arab Interior Ministers Council and Captain. Ibraheem Muhammed Al Sumaih, Secretary of the Permanent Committee will present papers in this seminar.

The celebrations including a Security Exhibition at Villagio mall for five days starting from Thursday, 25/6/2009 with the participation of 15 different government bodies and ministries, in addition to daily religious lectures of a number of preachers and religious leaders including Dr. Owais Al Qarni – A well known Islamic preacher as well as educational and cultural events and a variety of entertainment programs in addition to many other kinds of competitions.

In this year's celebration, The Social Rehabilitation Centre will be organizing a Consultation Clinic at the exhibition venue in the villagio, in which the consultant of the centre will be available everyday for answering all questions posed by the audience and to receive cases of drug addiction. In addition to this, the centre will conduct a lecture on "How to deal with the addict" by Dr. Munir Al Sousi - Psychiatric Consultant at the Center.

The Medical Services Department at Ministry of Interior is taking part in the exhibition with a medical clinic for testing the sugar and pressure free of cost.