Dubai: Dubai Police, through the Hemaya International Centre, organised an engaging awareness seminar under the theme “An Aware Family for a Safe Society,” in alignment with the outcomes of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The event was held at the Dubai Police Officers Club and brought together key partners from the Ministry of Education, Emirates Health Services, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Community Development Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Al Ameen Service, the National Rehabilitation Centre, Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Dubai, along with various departments of Dubai Police.

Collective Responsibility

The seminar was opened by Brigadier Khalid bin Muwaiza, Deputy Director of the General Department of Anti-Narcotics, who expressed his appreciation for the active role of partner organisations in supporting awareness and rehabilitation efforts. He emphasised that tackling drug abuse is not solely a law enforcement responsibility, but a shared social mission that demands cooperation from all sectors of the community.

Integrated Prevention Efforts

Brigadier bin Muwaiza highlighted that the Hemaya Centre collaborates closely with educational, health, and social institutions to deliver comprehensive prevention programmes. “Families play a central role in safeguarding their children from falling into the trap of drug use,” he noted. He also stressed the importance of community participation through exhibitions, outreach initiatives, and awareness campaigns, as well as the availability of confidential communication channels with Dubai Police.

Seminar Themes 

Brigadier Dr Abdulrahman Sharaf Al Maamari, Director of the Hemaya International Centre, outlined the seminar’s key discussion points. These included:
•Identifying inputs for awareness campaigns and developing strategic plans accordingly
•Collecting and promoting success stories of recovered individuals and their families, both locally and internationally
•Organising educational and awareness-based seasonal camps in collaboration with relevant stakeholders
•Enhancing proactive awareness initiatives to prevent youth and adolescents from drug use
•Establishing rehabilitation frameworks that offer meaningful employment to recovered individuals
•Integrating artificial intelligence and advanced technology in awareness tools
•Creating a comprehensive, regularly updated awareness knowledge bank

Recommendations

The seminar concluded with several recommendations, the most prominent of which include:
•Developing a unified strategic plan that aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision and promotes social cohesion
•Harmonising preventive efforts to ensure continuity and sustainability
•Studying best international practices in community prevention
•Launching an annual award for the most impactful awareness initiative
•Creating a digital platform that centralises all preventive and awareness programmes
•Conducting benchmarking studies across awareness-focused organisations
•Forming a dedicated working group to consolidate recommendations and submit a unified strategy for higher authority review.