Abu Dhabi Police, in collaboration with the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC), has launched a comprehensive national strategy to combat drug addiction. This initiative emphasizes a health-first approach, treating addiction as a chronic health condition rather than a crime, and focuses on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and community awareness.
UAE Unveils Health-First Drug Prevention Strategy
On International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Abu Dhabi Police announced a new national drug prevention strategy. This comprehensive approach, developed in partnership with the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC), shifts the focus from punitive measures to a public health model, emphasizing treatment, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. The strategy aims to safeguard the community and raise a generation fully aware of the dangers of drug abuse.
Key Takeaways
- Addiction is treated as a health issue, not a crime, with a focus on professional care and social support.
- The strategy emphasizes prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, and public awareness.
- Families are identified as the primary defense against drug abuse, with a focus on open communication and parental involvement.
- Technology, including data analytics and AI, is being integrated into treatment and prevention efforts.
- Legislative updates support a humanitarian approach to drug users while imposing stricter penalties on traffickers.
The National Rehabilitation Center’s Pivotal Role
The NRC, a WHO Collaborating Centre, is central to the UAE’s strategy. CEO Yousef Altheeb Alketbi highlighted the NRC’s role as a national platform for care, research, policy support, and capacity-building. The center’s excellence was recently recognized with a three-year accreditation from CARF International for its detox, inpatient, and outpatient services. The NRC also monitors emerging drug trends, including synthetic drugs and prescription medication misuse, using its UN-certified lab for early detection and informed clinical decisions.
Community Engagement and Awareness Initiatives
Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoun Al-Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, stressed the critical role of families in prevention. Initiatives like "Forsa Amal" (Chance of Hope) offer confidential treatment access, while the multilingual "Drive Safely" campaign, integrated into driving school curricula, has reached over 1.5 million people. The "Informed Families, Safe Communities" forum further engaged the public through interactive experiences, counseling, and youth-led discussions.
Legislative Framework and Global Recognition
Supported by Federal Decrees No. 30 of 2021 and No. 53 of 2022, the UAE’s legal framework allows for rehabilitation over criminal prosecution in certain cases, while imposing severe penalties on traffickers. The UAE’s recent membership on the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs for 2026–2029 underscores its growing influence in global drug policy and its commitment to sharing expertise in prevention and treatment strategies.