MOST ADDICTS START TAKING DRUGS IN FOREIGN LANDS

DUBAI - Studies by Dubai Police have shown that most drug addicts started
the deadly habit in foreign countries while holidaying alone or with friends
during the summer, a top anti-narcotics officer said yesterday.

"Most of these addicts started taking drugs outside the country, finding the
poisonous stuff available at various places," said Colonel Abdul Jalil Mehdi
Mohammed, Deputy Head of the Anti-Narcotics General Directorate at Dubai
Police.

He urged parents not to allow their sons to travel on holidays alone or with
their friends with no supervision.

He said due to the ignorance of foreign lands, young men become addicted to
drugs after unscrupulous people put the stuff in their drinks or cigarettes.

According to the official anti-narcotics officers had delivered 60 lectures
on the dangers of drugs since the beginning of the year. Exhibitions
explaining the menace also totalled 15 since January.

Col Abdul Jalil said parents should remain alert. He said psychological
disorders, weight loss, excessive sleep, pale faces and nervousness were
among the indicators that something was wrong.

He said the drug problem had become a serious danger as governments around
the world spend billions of dollars every year to fight the menace.

He stressed that addicts willing to get rehabilitated could approach police
and request help as no criminal charges would be filed against those who
willingly seek assistance to get rid of the deadly habit, in accordance with
Article no 43 of Federal Law No. 14 of 1995.