Muscat – The sultanate will join the rest of the world on Sunday to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, observed on June 26 annually, to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse.

This year’s programme includes holding exhibitions and awareness lectures directed towards the community, implemented by the Directorate General of Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of Royal Oman Police across governorates.

The directorate stressed that the scourge of drugs affects all segments of society, promoting crime and delinquency in most countries. ‘It has social, economic, health and security dimensions; the world and international organisations work with all their energy to combat it.’

It added that an international report issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates that there are major developments in drug crimes worldwide, whether through the emergence of new types of narcotic substances or advanced methods of manufacturing, concealment and smuggling.

Regarding the efforts of the Narcotics Control Team to monitor and control drug use, the directorate said it conducts operations by analysing local and international situations and ‘developing necessary plans to clamp down on smugglers, dealers and promoters of these toxins’.

Oman has been praised regionally as well as internationally for the efforts of the directorate in going beyond the local scope of combating the menace. ‘ROP has begun opening regional and international channels in the field of drug control to strengthen international partnership and cooperation in combating this scourge and confronting it.’

According to UNODC, the theme for the day in 2022 is ‘Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises’

‘From war zones to refugee camps to communities torn apart by violence, people in all parts of the world are in dire need. This year, UNODC is addressing transnational drug challenges stemming from situations of crisis,’ it stated.

The UN agency continued to advocate protection of the right to health for the most vulnerable, including children and youth, people using drugs, people with drug use disorders, and people who need access to controlled medicines.

‘Do your part by sharing real facts on the drugs situation – from health risks and solutions to tackle the world drug problem to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care resources in times of crises,’ it added.