Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Times Of Oman (Sultanate of Oman)
Copyright: 2005 Times Of Oman
Contact:  http://www.timesofoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3649
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Author: Staff

EXPERT CALLS FOR COOPERATIVE DRUGS REHABILITATION EFFORT

MUSCAT -- An anti-drugs volunteer from Africa has reiterated his call
for joint efforts to fight drug abuse, drug addiction and the like.

In fact, Abubakr S. Khalid Al Hosni, a representative of The Omari
Project, in Malindi, Kenya (a rehabilitation centre for drug abuse)
also fondly hoped that Oman would consider offering assistance to set
up an Oman-Zanzibar drug rehabilitation centre in Zanzibar, a subject
that he has mooted to the Omani authorities, couple of years ago.

"Oman is a model country in the fight against drugs. It is hugely
successful in its anti-drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking measures.

"The Royal Oman Police, the Ministry of Health in Oman and other
organisations have been doing a wonderful job in controlling drug
abuse and containing drug trafficking here.

"We want to repeat Oman's success story in Zanzibar, and for that we
need the help of Omani authorities concerned," Abubakr Al Hosni told
the Times of Oman, as part of the World Anti Drugs Day (international
day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking) today.

"I am confident of Oman's support to this cause. I am also sure that
one day we will have Omani assistance in building an Oman-Zanzibar
rehabilitation centre in Zanzibar.

"At the moment, we have a rehabilitation centre in Kenya, which is run
by the Bristol drug abuse control programme. But, the problem is that
since there is no centre in Zanzibar, the Kenya-based centre has to
provide treatment for drug abusers from Zanzibar also.

"This poses quite a burden for the Kenya-based centre. So, ideally we
should have a centre for Kenya and another one for Zanzibar. It is
this idea that we want to present to the Omani authorities, once again."

However, the good press that he has received in the Omani media has
come to good stead, he noted. "Because of that several well wishers
from Oman -- Petroleum Development Oman and Oman Air for instance --
have been in Zanzibar to confer and assist organisations dealing with
drug abusers.

"Oman Air, for instance, has provided an X-ray machine (for baggage)
to the Zanzibar airport authorities.

"This was indeed great news for me! And I am still encouraging these
well wishers to do more, to help bring more drug awareness to our
country," he said. "Some of them have even taken the list of those
rehabilitated persons and offered them jobs."

However, Abubakr Al Hosni was of the opinion that there was marked
improvement in the drug-abuse situation in Zanzibar/Kenya. "Thanks to
the rehab centre in Kenya, drug abusers are obtaining relief and they
are able to come back to the mainstream society.

"The happy news is that those who are reformed are now married, with
children and are role models for other drug abusers who also want to
be rehabilitated."

"This is why I want the Omani authorities concerned to come and visit
Kenya and Zanzibar. It will not be a boost to the historical links
that Oman and Zanzibar enjoy alone, but it will also see the improved
situation, how concerted efforts by the Zanzibar government and the
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have helped in reducing this
menace.

"I am happy to report that there has been a reduction of almost 40 per
cent! This is a telling point and the statistics would stand as
testimony to the Zanzibar government's efforts and the unwavering
support of the NGOs.

"Today, the government takes immediate action if drug abuse is
reported. So, the dealers and the agents are moving away. Of course,
the Zanzibar government is doing a great job, but timely assistance
from countries like Oman, which are quite successful in containing
drug abuse, should be of great help."

Abubakr Al Hosni meanwhile noted that Dr Mahmoud Al Abri,
director-general of Ibn Sina Hospital, had invited him to have a
formal exchange of ideas on this subject in September. He added that
he has also reciprocated this invitation to the director-general and
other officials by asking them to visit Zanzibar.

Such exchanges will help not only strengthen the deeply entrenched
Oman-Zanzibar relations but also help in the fight against drugs,
Abubakr Al Hosni said.

He praised the ROP and said that they were quite vigilant and it was
thanks to them that Oman enjoyed great security and successfully
managed to rein in on drug traffickers. "I am very proud of the ROP,
especially the anti-drug fighting department.

"The authorities in Kenya and Zanzibar are good, but the situation is
quite different there. We cannot compare that situation with Oman,
because the Sultanate is way ahead in this regard."

Abubakr Al Hosni also appreciated the anti-drug campaign by the ROP.
"I had been in Oman some years back and found the anti-drug campaign
in full swing. This time, I feel that they have intensified the
campaign. There are more placards and posters, all of it pointing to
the fact that Oman is a top country as far as its anti-drug campaign
and raising awareness on this subject is concerned."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin