(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A recent report from the United Nations (UN) has indicated that the age of initial drug use is getting lower - and this trend is being reflected in the UAE.
"Before, we'd usually only treat people in their early twenties or late teens for drug-related issues. But now we're seeing children of Middle School age dabbling in these illegal substances," Dr Hussain Al Maseeh, social care expert at the Community Development Authority (CDA) told Khaleej Times. Most are doing it for "experimental purposes" he said, but research carried out at Rashid Hospital shows that a significant factor leading to addiction here is the absence of a father. "This has proven to be a big cause of addiction for boys under the age of 14." Speaking on the risk factors associated with early onset drug abuse, Dr Al Maseeh said "the earlier the drug use, the higher the risk of addiction". "Drugs are big business globally. Drug dealers have hypothesised that if they get younger generations hooked on a particular product they ultimately become a long-term customer. That is why they prey on young teens." According to CDA figures from 2014, there are more than 400 young individuals struggling with drug abuse in Dubai. But with the current trend, this number could rise by more than a third (33.8 per cent), to 561 by 2022. And in the UAE, he said drug use among women is also increasing. Closing the gaps Though there is a lot of action on the government and public level to tackle drug addiction in the UAE, certain gaps still need to be addressed. "More recognition is needed for a comprehensive approach to dealing with addiction in Dubai," Dr Al Maseeh said At present, Rashid Hospital and Al Amal Hospital in Dubai are the only facilities providing treatment and rehabilitation to drug addicts. "When services are limited, it means specialists are not available. The number of specialists here is low compared to the need," he said. But he emphasised that any approach to addiction has to be addressed through prevention methods, adding that "increased awareness and education programmes are vital." Solving the issue To aid recovery, addicts need to go through a three-phase programme - detoxification (treatment), rehabilitation and aftercare. An approach which has to be "multifaceted", Dr Al Maseeh said. "We have to look at the family, the individual's personality, and the community they live in." Ownak, which currently has 150 registered clients, three of whom are women - provides phase three of this three-step process. But it is aftercare that is not given "due attention" here. "You cannot let down your guard as an addict, so relapse prevention is so important and always focuses on who, what and where. Who you should not be with, what you should avoid and where you shouldn't go." Depending on the individual it can take anything from three to six months to be rehabilitated. "But it is important to note that Ownak offers a life-long service to recovering addicts." Praising the staff of Ownak for the "round-the-clock" work they do, Dr Maseeh said each of them try to ensure each client limits his/her risk of falling back into the "drug-dependency cycle." But with addiction this relapse is always a risk, he said. health Kelly Clarke Originally from the UK, Kelly Clarke joined Khaleej Times in November 2012 as a reporter. She has a keen interest in humanitarian issues and loves to champion the efforts of local residents, companies in offering aid and development assistance to both local and region-wide causes. She works mainly within the healthcare beat but regularly produces human interest features. In her spare to she loves to travel and regularly volunteers at Riding for the Disabled in Dubai. Kelly received her BA Honours in Journalism from Middlesex University, UK in 2008. Before joining Khaleej Times she worked as a Supervising Editor for three Healthcare titles in London. KellyAnn_Clarke