DUBAI // Eight reformed drug addicts are to perform the Umrah pilgrimage with support from the Dubai Police anti-narcotics department, and the Awqaf and Minors’ Affairs Foundation.
Lt Col Dr Jumaa Al Shamsi, director of the Department of Drug Awareness and Prevention, said that Amaf played a major role in rehabilitating and protecting addicts and that a department study showed lack of religion was a primary cause of drug addiction among Emiratis.
“The anti-narcotics department puts as much emphasis on the side of prevention as it does on making arrests, by providing addicts with the daily strength not to relapse and their families with support,” he said.
The department, in cooperation with the Emirates Resources Recruitment Programme, found jobs for four recovered addicts last year. In 2013, seven were recruited.
Lt Col Al Shamsi also said that Dh14,000 of financial support was allocated to 15 recovered addicts last year, with Dh8,600 handed out to eight recovered addicts the year before.
Since 2010, employment has been found for 35 of 91 people who have applied for jobs through the Emirates Resources Recruitment Programme.
Sixty-five recovering addicts have performed Haj since 2009. Lt Col Al Shamsi said that last year, the families of 48 recovering addicts benefited from monthly financial aid.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
