Saudi- Recovering addicts 'need jobs to prevent relapse'

(MENAFN- Arab News) Recovering addicts should be given jobs and opportunities to study to help them integrate back into society several experts said here recently.

These comments were made at a workshop held by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in the capital which included several top local and international speakers and government officials.

Others present included the Kingdom's provincial directors of anti-drug bodies Al-Amal hospital directors and representatives from Saudi Customs Public Security the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution the Ministry of Health and the Youth Welfare Presidency.

The workshop was entitled 'National and Global Strategies to Fight Drugs and Mental Stimulants' and was run by the National Committee for Narcotics Control (NCNC) with the university on Feb. 22 and 23 in Riyadh. There were also calls for the government to provide more beds at hospitals for addicts many of whom need treatment more than five times before they recover fully.

Specialists said there should be lessons learned from other countries that have successfully tackled drug use including Singapore Jordan Canada and France.

Abdulilah bin Mohammad Al-Sharif secretary general of the NCNC said the workshop was held to develop a new strategy to tackle drug smuggling and use in the Kingdom. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif second deputy premier and minister of interior initiated the event.

Al-Sharif said the national strategy would include a study to understand the reasons for addiction in Saudi society and identifying the most important social personal and psychological characteristics of addicts. There would also be a focus on developing more effective therapy and other interventions.