The National Anti-Narcotics Agency, in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office, launched the National Anti-Drugs Campaign under the slogan: "United to eradicate the scourge", during a special event held at the Influencers Hub, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and in line with the state's comprehensive strategic vision aimed at protecting society and preserving its national achievements.
The event was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency; Her Excellency Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hamadi, Minister of State and Secretary-General of the Cabinet; His Excellency Saeed Al Ater, Head of the UAE Government Media Office; a number of officials and security, educational and media leaders; as well as journalists, influencers and digital content creators.
Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan affirmed that confronting the scourge of drugs in the United Arab Emirates stems from a fundamental pillar of the wise leadership's vision, which has placed the individual as the highest priority and placed the security of society and the safety of the family at the forefront of its concerns. The state therefore continues its efforts to combat drugs with full resolve through an integrated system that combines prevention, awareness, legislation, security enforcement, and therapeutic and rehabilitative support.
He said: "Combating drugs is not the responsibility of a single entity, but a shared national and societal responsibility that requires awareness, solidarity and cooperation from everyone, because protecting the individual is the foundation on which nations are built and on which their stability rests."
He confirmed that the campaign, launched under the slogan "United to eradicate the scourge", is a national campaign stemming from the Agency's conviction that protecting society is a shared responsibility, and that prevention begins with an informed word, a cohesive family, and a sincere message.
He added that the national campaign will focus on 3 main pillars: the first being the family, as the first line of defence and the most important actor in protecting children and fostering trust, dialogue and support within the home; the second being children and youth, through enhancing their awareness, building their self-confidence and encouraging them to take the right stance and to be able to say "no" to anything that threatens their health and future; and the third being the school, as an essential partner in education and awareness, and an incubator for building consciousness, values and positive behaviour.
Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan noted that the world is witnessing accelerating challenges and new, complex methods of drug trafficking that target young people, which requires us to be more aware and prepared, and to move from reaction to proactive prevention. He stressed that the importance of the national campaign lies in its aim to transform awareness into daily behaviour and to make every home, school and institution a genuine partner in protecting society and safeguarding the future of its children.
He said: "We believe that genuine awareness is built on fostering trust and hope, and opening the doors of support and assistance", announcing the launch of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency's social media platforms as a direct communication channel with the community through which correct knowledge is disseminated, observations and enquiries are received, and community partnership in confronting this scourge is strengthened.
He directed a message of reassurance to families and children, saying: "You are not alone. The National Anti-Narcotics Agency places all its capabilities at the service of the community and provides support with complete confidentiality and privacy, around the clock, through the Hisn service (80044), for reporting, seeking advice, and requesting therapeutic and rehabilitative support. We affirm that the UAE's law is humane and stands on your side as a rescue authority, not a punitive one, and guarantees 4 firm pillars: absolute confidentiality, complete privacy, treatment and care to the highest medical and rehabilitative standards, and full exemption from criminal liability in accordance with applicable legislation." He stressed that protecting the nation's youth is everyone's responsibility, and that every word of awareness, every positive stance, and every early report can save a life and build a future.
For his part, Major Fahad Abdullah Haykal, official spokesperson for the National Anti-Narcotics Agency, reviewed alarming international facts and statistics reflecting the scale of the risks posed by the drug scourge globally, in accordance with the World Drug Report 2025, issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
He revealed that the number of people who have fallen into the trap of addiction worldwide has exceeded 316 million — equivalent to 6% of the world's working-age population — recording a sharp rise of 28% over the past decade. Major Fahad Haykal commented on these figures, saying: "In the face of this global reality, the United Arab Emirates continues to consolidate its leading model in security, safety and quality of life, thanks to the vision of our wise leadership, which has placed the individual at the centre of development and as the nation's priority. At the same time, we recognise that the world has become open and that challenges are evolving rapidly, which requires us to be more prepared, aware and proactive, because protecting society rests not only on the strength of procedures, but on the strength of awareness and thought, the cohesion of the family, and shared societal responsibility."
He said: "The National Anti-Narcotics Agency was established in August 2025 as an independent federal body, chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan. The Agency is responsible for formulating and implementing general policies, legislation and strategies related to combating drugs, and for tracking and dismantling drug trafficking and distribution networks, in coordination with relevant authorities at both the federal and local levels."
He noted that the risks today no longer come only through traditional channels, but sometimes infiltrate through social media applications, electronic games and fake accounts that target young people with deceptive methods and messages wrapped in an attractive guise. For this reason, our shared responsibility today is to be closer to our children, to build bridges of dialogue and trust with them, and to equip them with awareness, self-confidence and the ability to make the right decision.
The National Anti-Drugs Campaign, under the slogan "United to eradicate the scourge", is being launched through an integrated awareness programme delivered in a style that resonates with young people's language and interests.
The campaign aims to enhance community awareness and proactive immunity as a fundamental line of defence to protect society from the scourge, by disseminating accurate and correct knowledge through positive and inspiring methods that empower youth and families to confront the various challenges and risks arising from this scourge, and to seek treatment and rehabilitation support through the Hisn service (80044).
The new visual identity of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency was also launched during the event.