By Zainab Al Nasseri — MUSCAT: March 12 - The National Committee for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances launched the mobile bus to raise awareness about harmful effects of drugs. The initiative is organised by various authorities including the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Directorate of Narcotics Control of the Royal Oman Police (ROP), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), Ministry of Sport Affairs, in addition to the institutions of civil community.
Starting from March 12 until the November, the mobile bus will travel from Musandam to Al Buraimi, Al Batinah North, Dhofar, Al Batinah South, Al Dakhiliyah, and finish the journey in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah. It aims at raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs, and identifying the different roles played by the ministries and the authorities concerned with drug from health, security, social, and preventive aspects. It further aims at highlighting the efforts and accomplishments of the National Committee for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances.
The mobile campaign includes several activities, workshops, and exhibitions introducing drug damages. It also sheds light on the national efforts made in combating this blight. Besides, it underlines methods followed for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts.
It is worth mentioning that since its establishment in 2000 by a Royal Decree No. 99/17, the National Committee for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances has undertaken a number of programmes and activities throughout the different medium to prevent the spread of this phenomenon in addition to organising many symposia, lectures and awareness exhibitions as well as issuing educational prints on addiction. It has lately launched FAWASEL programme that targeted school students.
On the training level, the committee, in collaboration with ministries and other concerned authorities has carried out programmes within the Sultanate and abroad with the aim of developing the competency of workers regarding the preventive, therapeutic, security and rehabilitative fields.
The committee has placed a top priority on supporting addicts to enable them overcoming the problem of addiction and has opened Half Way House in collaboration with Ministry of Social Development. Moreover, the stipulations regarding the opening of private health institutions for rehabilitation and treatment of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances addicts have been approved.
Currently, the committee is working on future projects to expand the therapeutic and rehabilitative services for drug addicts including the project of the National Rehabilitation and Aftercare Center. Furthermore, the National Strategy for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control 2017-2020 has been prepared.
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