The United Arab Emirates has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at combating drug abuse and trafficking, with a particular focus on protecting the region's youth. The National Campaign Against Drugs, operating under the slogan “United Front to Eradicate the Scourge,” was inaugurated on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The event was overseen by Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Drug Enforcement Authority.

The campaign emphasizes a comprehensive societal response to narcotics, involving senior officials, security experts, and medical professionals. Fahd Abdullah Haikal, Official Spokesman for the National Drug Enforcement Authority, underscored the importance of collective responsibility, characterizing drug control as not just a security matter but a national and human one. He cited recent United Nations data showing that over 316 million people globally were affected by drug addiction in 2023, a 28 percent increase over the past decade, representing six percent of the world’s working-age population.

Experts at the campaign highlighted the Gulf region as a primary target for traffickers. Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, shared insights from an encounter with a trafficker who identified the Gulf as an attractive market due to the region’s overall success but also vulnerability through its youth. He argued that reducing demand—rather than focusing solely on enforcement—is the key to undermining drug trafficking networks. Dr. Al Suwaidi advocated for a redefinition of educational goals, emphasizing life skills and self-confidence to help individuals resist addiction.

The campaign also seeks to unify national efforts under a centralized framework. Dr. Abdullah Al Khayyat, Consultant for Awareness and Prevention at the National Drug Enforcement Authority, described the initiative as a move toward consolidating anti-narcotics strategies, intelligence gathering, and institutional cooperation. “When we unify efforts, we build unified databases, gain intelligence, and proactively counter trafficking methods,” he said.

On the treatment front, mental health challenges and social stigma were identified as major hurdles. Dr. Mohammed Al Junaibi, Consultant Psychiatrist at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi, pointed out that shame and guilt often delay families from seeking help, complicating access to rehabilitation services, which are already stretched beyond capacity.

Brigadier Dr. Abdulrahman Al Ma’amari, Director of the International Hemaya Centre at Dubai Police’s General Administration for Drug Control, categorized society into recovered individuals, those vulnerable to addiction, and those affected by it, each group requiring tailored messaging. He urged media professionals to allocate a significant portion of their content—at least 10 percent—to anti-drug awareness.

As part of its outreach efforts, the National Drug Enforcement Authority introduced official social media platforms and reaffirmed the availability of a 24-hour hotline (80044), providing confidential reporting, counseling, and access to treatment. Authorities emphasized that UAE law protects those seeking help, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to high medical standards. “We confirm to every family, every young man and woman, you are not alone,” Haikal concluded.