The State of Qatar will celebrate the International Anti-Drugs Day under the patronage of H.E. the Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on Thursday, 24/6/2010. This year's celebration under the slogan "Be sporty be healthy" that will be held in Villagio Mall, includes several programs and various seminars to educate members of the community on the risks and dangers of drugs, with the participation of several authorities and ministries in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, HE the Director General of Public Security and Head of the Permanent Committee for Drug and Alcohol Affairs (PCDAA) Staff Major Gen. Saad bin Jassim Al Kholiafi said, ''The efforts of the countries around the world are united to observe the International Anti-Drugs Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking on 26th June of each year in order to emphasize the international community the range of the importance of the international solidarity and collaboration to prevent this dangerous scourge . The observance of world drug day is a reminder for the communities and individuals on the dangers of drugs and serious risks caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking on individuals and families from economical, social and health aspects.

HE Staff Maj. Gen. Al Kholaifi then asserted that the drug addiction has become a global problem, especially in the light of acceleration of technology, globalization and speed of communication and transportation that made drugs a transnational crime and has taken a serious dimensions that pose threats to the security and safety of communities and hinders their economic and social progress. For this reason, the enhancement of international cooperation among world countries has become an urgent need to address the drug crimes and related activities. That is why the international community rushed towards containing and reducing the problem since it occurred in an attempt to eliminate them.

For this purpose, the State signed in many accords and held many conferences on drug prevention under the patronage of United Nations, which is sparing no effort to propose new strategies, methods, practical activities and measures to strengthen international cooperation to address drug abuse and illicit trafficking, added the Director General of Public Security.

Explaining the efforts of the State spent for combating the drugs, the Chairman of the PCDAA said, " The State of Qatar was keen to participate in the international community's efforts to confront this scourge, and it has extended maximum supports for the efforts spent at regional and international arena to address the drug offenses. Taking into consideration the importance of international cooperation, it follows an integrated and balanced approach consistent with the principles and provisions of international conventions on narcotic drugs. It also strengthens the ongoing coordination and exchange of information and updates with other countries and international organizations related to drug control. This has reflected the will of the State and determination to fight the scourge of drugs rejected by our religion, our customs and traditions. The State is also seeking to address this problem with a realistic strategy that includes control, prevention and treatment".

The PCDAA gives high concern for combating the problems of drug as it deserve through drafting plans and practical programs to reduce its impact on society and follows a comprehensive policy that deals with different faces of the drug problems in a balanced approach. The International Anti – Drugs Day is an important occasion for awareness on the ruins of drugs and its serious dangers and to work for enhancing the combating efforts against this ruin and to rescue the people form its risks. The day is also a basic pillar from which many activities will be launched throughout the year that will work to deepen the security awareness with the aim of seizing this problem. It is worth to admire here the constant efforts invested by the people working in the drug combating agencies in the country and their active role in the field of reducing the drugs by prevention and treatment in addition to fighting against trafficking and drug promotion activities, state the Director General of Public Security.

Explaining about the activities of International Anti-Drugs Day, Secretary of PCDAA Capt. Ibraheem Muhammed Al Sumaih said, "The International Anti-Drugs Day exhibition with participation of 15 government and non government bodies to be held at Villagio mall from Thursday, 24/6/2010 will continue for five days. On the sidelines of the expo, there will be lectures in Arabic and English languages that will discuss the problems of drugs on its religious, social and health aspects and the prevention methods as well and lectures will be delivered by religious scholars, specialists and social experts in the field of drug prevention.

As a part of the celebration, the Ministry will broadcast awareness messages related to drug prevention and its ruins through radio and TV and will exhibit the awareness slogans on display boards on main streets and highways in the country in cooperation with Qatar company for advertisement services. In addition to this, the pavilions in the expo hall will distribute awareness brochures and CDs and the public can get benefitted of medical clinic in the expo venue and the children can take part in the coloring workshop on the topic "Drugs" and in the every day cultural competitions which offers valuable prizes for the winners. The Friday speech of this week will be on the subject of "Drugs and its Risks" in cooperation with Mosques Departments of Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said Capt. Al Sumaih.

On this occasion, Capt. Al Sumaih urged the public, especially the youths to be vigilant from becoming victims of drugs and its traffickers and promoters.