DRUG MENACE PREVALENT AMONG GCC SCHOOL STUDENTS

The drug menace is quite prevalent among school students all
over the GCC, an expert told a forum here yesterday.

The three-day forum on 'Ways to fight drug and liquor addiction' is
being organised by a committee at the Interior Ministry.

The panel's main job is to create awareness against drug abuse and
consumption of alcohol.

Al Mughaisib, an expert, cited several factors behind the increasing
abuse of drugs among school students in the entire region and said
they mostly believe that it enhances sexual performance and
intelligence.

This is a misconception, so there is a need to create an effective
awareness campaign.

Broken family, ill-treatment of youngsters by their parents, problems
to with studies and more leisure time are some of the major reasons
behind the increasing prevalence of drug menace among the school
students, he said.

Many other experts presented papers at the forum. Earlier, is his
opening address, Brigadier Saad bin Jassem Al Khulaifi, Director of
Public Security, said the committee keeps holding such fora frequently.

"This is the third year in a row that we have been holding this
forum," he said.