Muscat: Oman will join countries worldwide in observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, 2023, themed this year "Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All. "
The event focuses on raising awareness about the risks of narcotics and psychotropic substances, highlighting addicts' right to rehabilitation, strengthening community cooperation, and enhancing international collaboration against drug misuse. It also provides an opportunity for nations to revisit their antidrug policies, evaluate obstacles, and devise suitable solutions.
Colonel Said Salim Al Maawali, Assistant Director General of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), said that drugs and psychotropic substances are one of the most significant issues confronting modern society due to their destructive impact.
He emphasised that the drug trade is a significant financing source for transnational criminal organisations. Global indicators indicate more than 275 million drug users worldwide, with the World Health Organization estimating more than 500,000 annual deaths linked to substance misuse—necessitating coordinated policies, shared expertise, and increased cultural and educational awareness.
Colonel Al Maawali stressed the importance of international collaboration in the fight against drug smuggling and trafficking, which criminal organisations engage in using sophisticated cross-border techniques. To break these networks, information exchange, joint policing operations, harmonised legislation, and expertise sharing are all essential.
The ROP's General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control has taken an integrated strategy, involving police, security, military, and civil organizations, to combat drug trafficking. Efforts have successfully revealed international syndicates smuggling narcotics across land, sea, and air borders, as well as through social media platforms that entice youngsters to experiment with drugs.
He clarified that the relevant authorities in Oman offer rehabilitation possibilities for abusers under Article 51 of the AntiNarcotics Law, which exempts self-referred or family-reported addicts from punishment. Post-treatment reintegration programs guarantee confidentiality under Article 52, with penalties for breaches.
Currently, crystal meth poses a substantial worldwide danger due to its low cost, simplicity of manufacture, and severe health consequences, including mortality. Traffickers exploit victims, particularly youth, through financial incentives, blackmail, false friendships, emotional manipulation, and even virtual reality platforms and celebrity endorsements that promote false cultural narratives about drug use.
The Directorate focuses on prevention through social media campaigns, conferences, and seminars. Innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and smart applications are being developed to improve public education and counseling services, he said.
Colonel Al Maawali emphasized the importance of families in monitoring their children and urged community cooperation with security authorities to report drug-related activities, promote treatment-seeking, and build a drug-free society for national stability.
