MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman joins other countries in the world 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 the society.
The campaign in 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 geographical 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 observance is themed under the slogan ‘Yes to a safe drug society’ aims to address the scourge of drugs as a shared responsibility between the concerned authorities and the society.
In a seminar on the eve of the World Drug Day in al Buraimi, organized by Qastas, a youth initiative specialized support on spreading awareness on 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 patronage of Sheikh Saif bin Salem 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 population.
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 observance is themed under the slogan ‘Yes to a safe drug society’ aims to address the scourge of drugs as a shared responsibility between the concerned authorities and the society.
In Oman, treatment for addiction is free; however, there is just one tertiary psychiatric hospital with a substance misuse unit, Al Massara Hospital, and this is located in Muscat.
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