Doha: The Ministry of Interior (MOI), represented by the General Directorate of Drug Enforcement, has launched an awareness exhibition to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse under the theme “An Aware Community… A Safe Nation.” The event also coincides with the Arab and GCC Weeks for Drug Prevention and brings together several MOI departments and partner organizations.
Exhibition highlights the dangers of drug abuse, promotes prevention strategies, and reinforces community partnerships to safeguard youth and strengthen public awareness across Qatar.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Assistant Director General of Drug Enforcement Colonel Tariq Ali Al Malki in the presence of ministry officials, officers, and representatives from participating entities.
Running until June 28, the exhibition features educational booths highlighting the dangers of drug abuse, prevention strategies, and the impact of narcotics on individuals, families, and society. The initiative aims to strengthen public awareness, showcase Qatar’s efforts to combat drugs, and reinforce community partnerships in prevention.
Participating entities include the General Directorate of Traffic, the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security, the Community Police Department, the Penal and Correctional Institutions Department, the Juvenile Police Department, the Medical Services Department, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the General Authority of Customs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, the Behavioral Healthcare Center, and Naufar Center.
Director General of Drug Enforcement Brigadier Rashid Saree Al Kaabi said that observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and the Arab Week for Drug Prevention highlights the importance of raising awareness about a threat that endangers the future of young people.
He emphasized that combating drugs is a shared societal responsibility requiring cooperation from all sectors, adding that prevention begins with awareness, strengthening values among youth, and creating supportive environments that protect them from addiction. He noted that the General Directorate of Drug Enforcement continues to implement awareness programs in partnership with relevant organizations to increase public awareness, particularly among young people.
Director of the Studies and International Affairs Department at the General Directorate of Drug Enforcement Major Nasser Zayed Al Shahwani said the Directorate has adopted modern, technology-driven awareness programs tailored to different age groups. He explained that these initiatives focus on personal development, life skills, adherence to religious and moral values, and encouraging families to build trust with their children, monitor their activities, and help them resist behaviors that could lead to drug abuse.
Head of the Education and Awareness Section Captain Abdullah Qassim Askar said the Directorate’s awareness campaigns target all segments of society. These include educational programs for schools, universities, and institutes in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, summer initiatives with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, outreach for military and security personnel, civil sector employees, and seasonal expatriate workers, as well as mobile exhibitions in shopping malls and other public awareness activities.
He stressed that protecting society from drug abuse requires coordinated efforts by all stakeholders, noting that lasting community security depends on collective action and a shared commitment to prevention for the benefit of individuals, families, and society.