DUBAI // More than 70 officials from agencies specialising in planning and drug-prevention on Wednesday discussed how to protect children from drugs at the different stages of their development.
They took part in four workshops on the second day of the three-day Hemaya International Forum on Drug Issues, organised by Dubai Police and featuring officers and experts from around the region.
Experts talked of ways in which drug dependency in adults affects their children, even into adulthood.
“Infancy and early childhood is when there is the development of safe attachment to caregivers,” said Giovanna Campbell, of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
“It is also the time when children should develop age-appropriate language skills, as well as other cognitive functions.”
Ms Campbell said children might face dangers if parents or guardians were abusing drugs or alcohol.
She said there was enough scientific evidence to prove a child would be harmed if their mother smoked, drank or took drugs during pregnancy. When the child turned two or three, they might show signs such as destructive behaviour and tantrums, she said.
“These characteristics may stay with the child for the rest of his life if not properly treated at an early stage,” Ms Campbell said.
But she also said interventions for pregnant women with substance abuse problems could have a positive impact on the child.
Providing treatment that supports the mother and teaches her skills that help her to raise a child may also stop her abusing drugs in the future.
Wadih Maalouf, also of the UN agency, spoke of the middle stages, when the school’s role becomes more important and children are more susceptible to influence from peers. It was crucial for children to learn self-control at this stage.
Mr Maalouf said a firm family bond could help to prevent drug use. Parents should be involved in their children’s lives, give them positive reinforcement and ensure they spend enough time with them.
William Crano, of Clermont University in Cincinnati, addressed early adolescence, where youths are exposed to new ideas and behaviour.
“They are exposed to new things because of their interactions with other people,” he said, adding that youths at this age have the desire to emulate adults.
Mr Crano said the teen years were when young people made decisions to take part in negative behaviour, such as smoking and drugs.
He spoke of preventive education targeting teachers and trainers, who could then teach young people tolerance and how to cope with pressures of life. Mr Crano said there were programmes for preteens to deter them from drugs.
Maj Gen Abdulrahman Rafi, assistant to the Dubai Police Chief and director general of the department of community services, said: “This year’s forum has taken a new approach and it is to focus on the workshops in the second and third days, with the goals to discuss UN standards and to give light to an Arab strategy based on these international standards.”
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, on Wednesday advised Twitter followers to stay away from those who could lead them to abuse drugs.
“Friends with bad influence are the most common cause that drags youth towards the abyss of drugs. Choose your friends before choosing your path,” he tweeted
The Ministry of Interior and National Rehabilitation Centre have launched a campaign on the dangers of drugs. “They Fooled Me” will continue until July 15.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
