Dramatic 51pc decline in drug abuse cases

In a significant triumph for the government’s ongoing anti-narcotics drive, in-stances of drug abuse plummeted an impressive 51 per cent in 2016, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Figures released by the ROP also indicate that drug-related crimes declined to 2,538 cases last year, in comparison with figures for the previous year. A total of 3,590 suspects were charged with narcotics related offences last year. “This success could not have been achieved without the support and coordination of the various departments of the Royal Oman Police, as well as the cooperation of other security agencies. We continue to make a concerted effort to rid our society of the scourge of drugs that especially harm the youth,” said Colonel Abdularahim al Farsi, Director General of the Narcotics Control Directorate. The official attributed the sharp decline in registered offences in part to the Directorate’s intensive efforts to combat drug smuggling notably through the use of high-tech detection equipment, as well as the application of stringent penalties. As a result, successful detections rose 14 per cent last year, while instances of drug trafficking fell 8 per cent, he said. A study conducted earlier by the Ministry of Social Development looked into the different dimensions of drug addiction by surveying a sample of Omani youth. It said that the Sultanate’s policy to defeat this phenomenon in the Omani society is based on three strategies: prevention, control and treatment. The study indicated that the main reasons that contribute to drug abuse are basically bad influences among peers, lots of spare time, spread of narcotics, inadequate family monitoring, and poor education levels. “For prevention, an effective awareness campaign is necessary to help target vulnerable sections of the community. They should also be made aware of the dangerous health, psychological and social impacts of drugs. Also, efforts must be intensified to help stop the illegal trade in narcotics targeted at youngsters. Laws should be strengthened and enforced as well,” the study suggested. Zainab Al Nassri