Eradicate drug addiction for a healthy society

The Sultanate of Oman joins other countries today to celebrate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The day also known as World Drug Day, which falls every year on June 26, is supported by individuals, communities and various organisations all over the world to raise awareness about the major problem that illicit drugs pose to society.

The campaign in the Sultanate of Oman includes holding exhibitions and awareness lectures directed to the community, implemented by the awareness team specialised in the General Administration of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control and the departments in the governorates.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects themes for the International Day and launches campaigns to raise awareness about the global drug problem. Health is the ongoing theme of the world drug campaign.

This year’s theme is 'addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises' and aims to address the scourge of drugs as a shared responsibility between the authorities and society.

In a seminar on the eve of the World Drug Day in Al Buraimi, organised by Qastas, a youth initiative specialised in spreading awareness of the dangers involved in the use of drugs, speakers stressed on the role of families in societies in eradicating the menace.

Many people who use drugs are afraid of the social stigma that accompanies being an “addict”. Such stigma does not only risk their own reputation but also that of their families.

During the panel discussion, a youngster, who recovered from the dreaded addiction, recounted the tale of his transformation from the path of addiction to rehabilitation and treatment.

The seminar was held under the auspices of Shaikh Saif bin Salim bin Rashid al Esai, Head of the Criminal Department of the Court of First Instance in Al Buraimi Governorate.

According to the latest WHO data published in 2020, drug use deaths in Oman reached 0.20 per cent of total deaths. The age-adjusted death rate is 0.54 per 100,000 of the population. In Oman, treatment for addiction is free; however, there is just one tertiary psychiatric hospital with a substance misuse unit, Al Masarra Hospital, and this is located in Muscat.

@samuelkuttyvp