Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jun 2006
Source: Gulf News (UAE)
Copyright: 2006, Al Nisr Publishing, LLC
Contact:  http://www.gulf-news.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1604

SAIF: DRUG ABUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Abu Dhabi: Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 
Interior Minister, said he was satisfied with the pace of progress 
being made by the UAE in combating drug abuse.

"Drug abuse remains a serious problem that needs more attention no 
matter how small it is," Shaikh Saif said in an interview with the 
Police magazine on the advent of the International Day Against Drug 
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

"Success in eliminating drugs perils requires a pooling of efforts 
and enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the 
community. We believe that the family is the starting point for any 
endeavour to achieve success," he added.

Shaikh Saif called for following the directives of President His 
Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh 
Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of 
the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al 
Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the 
UAE Armed Forces.

"The fact that the UAE is more of a mere transit point for drug 
traffickers rather than being a centre for drug abuse does not mean 
that we are relatively not in danger. We should streamline operations 
to track down and apprehend traffickers and narcotics traders to 
protect our country and neighbouring countries from the evils of 
drugs," Shaikh Saif said.

He noted that combating drugs head on in the areas where they are 
cultivated and processed makes it easy for the rest of the world's 
countries to prevent increases in illicit drugs trafficking.
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