Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Committee, today attended the celebration to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The Minister of Social Development, Minister of Health, Minister of Youth Affairs, Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, governors, Interior Ministry's Undersecretary, CEO of Information and e-Government Authority, Inspector-General and senior officials attended.
The Interior Minister delivered the following speech:
"I’m glad to meet you all on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. As known, the United National General Assembly decided in 1987 to mark June 26 of every year as a day to counter-narcotics to tackle the global risks and implications of illicit drugs. According to the UN reports of 2022, more than 270 million individuals use narcotics. In Bahrain, by the grace of God, there was no increase in the last three years as the ratio has been stable to 3% of the total reported crime-related cases.
I want to thank the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science, especially the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, for their ongoing, sincere efforts to carry out their security responsibility. The thanks are also extended to ministries, organisations and individuals who contribute and cooperate with us.
Honourable attendees,
To achieve success in fighting illicit drugs, we should continue to fight narcotics at borders, schools, youth and sports centres and houses and through the press and cyberspace.
In fact, we fight the spread of narcotics through knowledge and parental and national responsibility. It is undoubtedly a dangerous international security phenomenon that all should cooperate to fight.
It is no secret to you that today, in our security arena, we deal and focus, in addition to combating drugs, on several security phenomena and challenges, such as combating corruption, in addition to following up on electronic and ethical transgressions, as well as following up on any traffic chaos.
Honourable attendees,
As you notice, most security cases affect social security, therefore out of security responsibility that each one of us takes up their role in serving security and general order to achieve a secure environment and a decent living within the framework of our values for the nation to be blessed with prosperity and blessing under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa."
Meanwhile, the Director-General of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science asserted in his speech the importance of the Interior Minister's instructions, which contributed to achieving the tasks and missions of the General Directorate. He valued the operations of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate and its role in the national efforts to protect society and youth. He thanked the Chief of Public Security for the follow-up of operations and security performance. He expressed gratitude for the role of members of the National Anti-Drug Committee and the team assigned to follow up on the implementation of the panel’s goals.
The ceremony showcased a film on the committee's efforts and society's role in fighting illicit drugs by countering supply and demand and awareness through modern technology. The film highlighted the awareness programmes that meet police anti-drug efforts.
The event also included a brief on the national project to increase addiction recovery rates through Artificial Intelligence, one of its kind in the Middle East. The project aims to detect individuals more prone to relapse through various AI techniques to provide them with family and psychological support during rehabilitation. The project consists of two phases: treatment and recovery, and improving fighting illicit drugs and border security.
The Interior Minister honoured individuals who cooperated with the Anti-Narcotics Directorate. He wished all the best to the attendees in serving the nation.
Source: Bahrain News Agency