BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE's new national anti-drug campaign comes amid alarming global data on drug use, with officials stressing that protecting society is a shared responsibility - one that extends to every home, school and community.
Major Fahad Abdullah Haikal, Official Spokesperson of the National Drug Enforcement Authority, cited the United Nations World Drug Report 2025, which found that more than 316 million people worldwide - about 6% of the global population aged 15 to 64 - used drugs in 2023. This marks a 28% increase over the past decade.
"Faced with this global reality, the UAE continues to reinforce its pioneering model of safety, security and quality of life, guided by its leadership that places people at the core of development," Haikal said at the launch on Wednesday.
"We recognise that the world is interconnected, and that challenges continue to evolve rapidly. This demands a higher degree of readiness, awareness and proactivity."
He stressed that enforcement alone is not enough. "Safeguarding society requires strong intellect, high public awareness, strong and cohesive families, and a shared responsibility."
The fight against drugs, Haikal added, is not only a security matter but a shared human, social and national one.
In the UAE, it is the National Drug Enforcement Authority - chaired by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan - that formulates and implements anti-drug policies, legislation and strategies. It also tracks and dismantles drug trafficking networks in coordination with local and federal stakeholders.
Haikal was clear, however, that its mandate goes beyond security. The authority believes that while a robust security response is essential, "it is not enough on its own".
"The real battle begins with building awareness, strengthening prevention and turning every member of society into a partner in protecting families and young people," he said.
Evolving Threats
Haikal warned that the drug threat has shifted beyond traditional channels, increasingly spreading through social media, online gaming and fake accounts designed to target young people.
"Threats may begin with a conversation on a social media platform or through an online game where children spend their leisure time," he said.
In a session held as part of the launch, experts also discussed how drug traffickers are increasingly targeting young people, and what it will take to stop them.
Dr Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, argued that reducing demand is the most effective weapon against the illegal drug trade.
"The best way to destroy any trade is to eliminate demand for it," he said. He called for schools to play a broader role in prevention, moving beyond academic achievement to build life skills, self-confidence and decision-making abilities.
"One of the most important skills is teaching young people how to say no," Dr Al Suwaidi added.
Brigadier Dr Abdul Rahman Al Muamari, Director of the International Protection Centre at the General Administration for Drug Control at Dubai Police, agreed that self-confidence is one of the strongest protective factors against addiction.
"The first step in prevention is building self-confidence - a person who is confident in themselves is less likely to fall into harmful behaviours," he said.
The advice becomes even more crucial as research confirms that many cases of drug abuse are triggered by curiosity and peer pressure.
Haikal emphasised: "This is why the core message we must convey to the younger generation is that true strength does not lie in conforming to or copying others. It lies in self-awareness, confidence and the courage to say 'no' to anything that threatens your health and future."
He called on families to strengthen communication with their children and help them develop the confidence to make informed decisions. "Our responsibility today is to draw closer to our children, to foster communication and build their trust, while equipping them with the awareness, confidence and capacity to make the right decisions," Haikal said.
A strong, cohesive family, he added, is the primary line of defence - with open dialogue and emotional support considered among the most critical factors in keeping children safe.
For those who have already fallen into drug use, Dr Mohammed Al Junaibi, Psychiatrist and Consultant at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi, urged a shift in how society views recovery. He stressed that treatment and rehabilitation should be seen as a new beginning, not a source of shame or guilt.
"When young people enter rehabilitation, a new story begins," he said, noting that programmes focus on helping individuals rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.