The substantial efforts made by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Evidence Anti-Narcotics Directorate to protect the community from drugs and their detrimental effects have been emphasised.
Director of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Khalid Al Buainain said the directorate’s strategy in combating drugs centres on rapid response and drawing joint plans between all relevant entities, including security and civil society institutions.
“This approach ensures continued support and reinforcement of future programmes aimed at strengthening national capabilities to combat drugs. These programmes are overseen by the National Committee for Combating Drugs, chaired by Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa,” he told our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej.
Marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which will be observed on Thursday, Lt Col Al Buainain stressed the directorate’s success in combating drug supply and demand according to statistics covering the period from the beginning of last year to April 2025.
He stated that more than half a tonne of narcotic substances were seized, 2,824 suspects were arrested in 2,559 cases, and more than 300,000 narcotic pills were confiscated.
Lt Col Al Buainain pointed out that according to the statistics, cannabis was found to be the most commonly trafficked drug, and its addiction is considered one of the most dangerous.
He also highlighted that synthetic cannabis has become somewhat widespread due to the popularity of electronic smoking devices or “e-shisha”.
Lt Col Al Buainain further noted that the Ta’afi (Recovery) programme is a pioneering initiative aimed at protecting the youth from drug abuse and addiction. “It is one of the key outcomes of the national plan to combat drugs and psychotropic substances,” he said.
He also revealed that among the most important future plans is a national project to monitor, analyse, and increase recovery rates from drug addiction using artificial intelligence (AI).
“The project aims to incorporate AI capabilities that simulate human cognitive abilities to understand the variables and factors influencing the addict’s behaviour,” he noted.
&uuid=(email))