Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor organizes "I Am Stronger" campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs: necessity to enhance awareness and responsibility among community members

Under the patronage of Justice Minister Advisor Nasser Al-Sumait and in the presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Awatef Al-Sand, the General Authority for Affairs of Minors, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, organized an awareness seminar on combating drug abuse titled “I Am Stronger,” as part of the national campaign “A Country That Protects You.” The seminar featured Advisor for Media Dr. Bassam Al-Jazaf, First Lieutenant Mubarak Al-Fudairi, and lawyers Hamoud Abdulwahab and Ahmed Al-Nafisi.

The Director General of the General Authority for Affairs of Minors, Aliya Al-Saqer, emphasized that the Authority’s participation in the national campaign stems from its social responsibility and its commitment to enhancing awareness among members of society, particularly the minors under its care. This is achieved by disseminating preventive culture and equipping them with knowledge and skills that contribute to protecting them from the scourge of drug abuse, while boosting their self-confidence and ability to make sound decisions.

Al-Saqer clarified that the seminar included three main awareness pillars. The first, “Protecting Minors under the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law,” was presented by lawyer Hamoud Abdulwahab, who outlined the legal aspects related to combating drug abuse, detailing the penalties imposed on traffickers and those who exploit minors. He also highlighted reporting mechanisms and early intervention, emphasizing the importance of integrating legal deterrence with community prevention.

She noted that the second pillar, titled “Dealing with Juvenile Cases Involving Drugs: Between Prevention and Rehabilitation,” was presented by First Lieutenant Mubarak Al-Fudairi. He discussed the key factors that may drive minors into the clutches of drug abuse, foremost among them bad company, weak family supervision, media and digital influences, and exploitation by drug trafficking networks. He stressed the importance of early intervention and prevention to protect them from deviance.

Regarding the third pillar, titled “Protecting Our Children from Drugs Is a National Duty,” speaker Ahmed Al-Nafisi highlighted the importance of instilling religious conviction and Islamic values in the hearts of children, enhancing a culture of responsibility, and inculcating concepts of repentance and rehabilitation, considering them among the most important pillars in preventing drug abuse and protecting the youth.

Al-Saqer stressed that protecting children from the scourge of drug abuse is a shared national responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of all concerned parties. She affirmed that raising awareness and early intervention form the cornerstone of building an aware and resilient generation capable of contributing to societal development and preserving its security and stability.

Participants in the seminar emphasized the need to tighten penalties imposed on drug and psychotropic substance traffickers and those who exploit minors, while also highlighting reporting mechanisms, early intervention, and the importance of integrating legal deterrence with community prevention. They discussed the main factors that may lead minors to use drugs, stressing the importance of family supervision over media and digital influences and protection from exploitation by drug trafficking networks, as well as the importance of early intervention to shield them from deviance. They pointed out the necessity of strengthening a culture of responsibility, instilling concepts of repentance and good behavior, carefully choosing friends, and avoiding bad company. They also emphasized the role of parents and the family as the most important pillars in preventing drug abuse and protecting the youth.