An exhibition of virtual reality, interactive video games and various simulation models was organised by the Southern Governorate in co-operation with the Interior Ministry.
It was part of the ministry’s Ma’an (Together) programme which is primarily aimed at countering violent tendencies and addiction among schoolchildren.
The programme works within the approach of the US-based Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) International programme that seeks to prevent drug use, gang membership and violent behaviour among school students.
A community policeman helps an attendee using a virtual reality headset
Several adults and children attended the exhibition that was held at the Askar Sports Complex, and was in line with the governorate’s efforts to promote community partnership and spread positive behaviour.
Trained community policemen assisted attendees as they toured the exhibition and tried impairment or drunk goggles that are designed to simulate the effects of alcohol or drug effect on vision.
An attendee tries walking using an impairment goggle
The Ma’an programme has been credited with a drop in violence, addiction, cases of bullying and other negative social phenomena.
Since the inception of the programme in 2011, it has covered 196 of 211 public schools, with a yearly average of more than 136,000 students from kindergarten, primary, intermediate and secondary benefiting, by attending classes led by a trained community policeman or policewoman.