DRUG WAR INTENSIFIES AT BORDER CROSSINGS

ABU DHABI // Efforts to keep illegal drugs out of the country have
been stepped up with increased vigilance at border crossings, the
Government said yesterday.

Major Gen Khamis Saif bin Suweif, the director general of criminal
security at the Ministry of Interior, said the police had a twin
strategy of preventing drugs from being brought in and reducing
demand for them, by educating people on the dangers of drug abuse and
increasing help for users.

His comments came on the eve of the International Day Against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which takes place today.

In 2008, the United Nations' International Narcotics Control Board
said the UAE had become a "major exporting and trans-shipping area"
for highly addictive drugs such as heroin and amphetamines. Much of
the narcotics was from Afghanistan, it said.

Yesterday, Dubai Customs said it had foiled 251 drug-smuggling
attempts over the past five months, a 33 per cent increase compared
with the same period last year.

Drug traffickers from 32 countries were arrested at air, sea and land
ports. Narcotics including cocaine, opium, cannabis, heroin and
morphine were seized. Customs officials said smugglers had developed
highly sophisticated techniques. Drugs had been found hidden in
electronic devices, paintings and clocks, they said.

In January, an Asian tried to smuggle 1.4kg of methamphetamine
(crystal meth) by swallowing 124 capsules. A European who used the
same method was caught with almost a kilogramme of pure cocaine.

An African was arrested with 651.5g of heroin and a passenger coming
from an Asian country attempted to smuggle 72 capsules of crystal
meth in March. In April, customs officers seized 2.5kg of cannabis
which had been wrapped in four paintings that were to be shipped from
Asia to Europe via Dubai.

The international campaign day was established by the UN in 1987.
Here, police forces will hold awareness campaigns under the theme "My
Family Happiness . No Drugs".

Gen bin Suweif said parents should shoulder the main responsibility
of ensuring that their children kept away from drugs and religious
values played a strong part. He urged parents to monitor their
children's behaviour to detect early any changes which might indicate
drug problems.

Abu Dhabi Police held an anti-drugs exhibition at Al Wahda Mall
yesterday. Officers gave out brochures that carried one message -
think about your family before abusing drugs.

A similar campaign was launched by Dubai Police at Dubai Festival
City. It was supported by local groups, including the Arab Family
Organisation and the Emirates Motor Sports Federation. Al Ain and
Western Region Police will start campaigns tomorrow which will run
until July 5.

There are no official figures available on drug abuse in the UAE.
However, officials at the National Rehabilitation Centre said it had
treated 300 patients from 2002, when it opened, to February this year.

Yesterday's sermons were also part of the national campaign. Imams
warned that the consumption of drugs and alcohol amounted to suicide.
They advised worshippers to maintain strong family ties, while urging
the young to avoid too much free time as well as bad peer influence.