Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jun 2013
Source: Saudi Gazette (Saudi Arabia)
Contact:  2013 Saudi Gazette
Website: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5451

PROJECT UNDER STUDY TO REINSTATE EX-ADDICTS TO JOBS

DAMMAM - The anti-drug administration is currently studying the 
possibility of reinstating drug addicts and dealers to their military 
or civilian jobs after they finish rehabilitation and serve their 
jail sentences.

Director General of the Drug Combat Department in the Eastern 
Province Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Jameel disclosed this while 
inaugurating an exhibition in Al-Shatie Mall in Dammam to commemorate 
the International Day Against Drugs.

Maj. Gen. Al-Jameel said his department couldn't force any military 
or civilian authority to reinstate repentant drug dealers or addicts 
even if he has served his penalty and was awarded a certificate of 
good conduct from Al-Amal hospitals or Saudi prisons, Al-Eqtisadiah 
newspaper reported Thursday.

"The matter of reinstating an addict, who has been rehabilitated, is 
a duty for all, especially since he has been awarded a certificate of 
good conduct. He should be reinstated to his job or provided a job in 
the government or private sector so that he does not return to his old habit."

He confirmed that the Drug Combat Department has helped over 500 male 
and female former addicts find employment in government and private 
sectors. He promised to employ all recovered female addicts in the 
private sector in coordination with several national companies and 
charitable societies. Maj. Gen. Al-Jameel warned pharmacies and 
hospitals against selling the controlled drug Tramadol, which is made 
in southeast Asia and often abused by young Saudis, without 
prescription. He added that there is coordination with the Ministry 
of Health so the prescription drug is regulated.

He said whoever is found in possession of the drug without a 
prescription will be dealt with the way Captagon users are dealt 
with. He went on to say the Eastern Province ranks fourth among the 
Saudi regions in terms of the level of drug smuggling. "During recent 
years drug use has decreased in the Eastern Province because many 
drug dealers have been arrested. Criminal Investigation Department 
(CID) patrol units are working round the clock and focus on areas 
that are known for drug dealing and abuse like Umm Al-Sahek, 
Al-Khaleej and Thuqbah districts."

Meanwhile, the administration of Al-Amal Hospital in Dammam said 
Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman have offered jobs 
for 20 recovered persons to work in their mental health hospitals. It 
said many recovered persons have been provided jobs in the mental 
health hospitals and other sectors in the Eastern Province, Riyadh and Jeddah.

Rashed Ahmad Al-Zahrani, director of public relations at the 
hospital, said a delegation representing the four Gulf countries 
recently paid a visit to the complex, met several recovered drug 
addicts and selected 20 of them to work in similar complexes. He said 
the selected individuals have already started their jobs. Some are 
guides while other work as counselors who talk about the harms of 
drugs and how to fight addiction.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom