The Family Care Authority organised an open dialogue session titled "Prevention is a Shared Responsibility: Towards a Drug-Aware Family and Safe Community" at the Khalifa A Municipal Presence Centre, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the participation of a number of government entities and experts specialising in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
The session forms part of the Authority's efforts to raise community awareness, empower families to fulfil their preventive role in protecting children from behavioural and social risks, and entrench a culture of shared responsibility among the various entities concerned with community protection.
In her opening remarks, Asma Al Azri, Executive Director of the Family Cases Sector at the Family Care Authority, affirmed that addressing the risks of drugs requires an integrated approach among families, educational institutions, security, health, and social bodies. She noted that raising community awareness, early intervention, and equipping families with the appropriate knowledge and support are fundamental pillars of prevention and child protection.
Dr. Alia Al Jasmi, Director of the Care Homes Department at the Family Care Authority, spoke at the session, stressing that the family is the first line of defence against addiction. She presented the specialised services provided by the Authority through its "Halfway Houses" and aftercare service, which support recovering individuals and facilitate their reintegration into society. Major Yousef Hassan Al Hamadi from the Anti-Narcotics Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police General Command also spoke on the importance of security and community partnership in protecting children from drugs. Colonel Dr. Ahmed Al Ali from Zayed University addressed ways to build awareness among students, underscoring the pivotal role of educational institutions in spreading a culture of prevention and promoting positive behaviours.
Dr. Mohammed Al Junaibee, Head of the Psychiatry Department at the National Rehabilitation Centre – Abu Dhabi, presented treatment and rehabilitation pathways, shedding light on the importance of providing comprehensive support to ensure a smooth transition from recovery to community reintegration.
Participants affirmed the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships in order to develop sustainable initiatives that support child protection and enhance family stability and social cohesion.
Participants and attendees discussed a number of specialised topics related to early prevention, new and emerging drugs, and modern methods of enticement, alongside efforts in treatment and rehabilitation for recovering individuals. They also stressed the importance of bolstering institutional partnerships to develop sustainable initiatives that support child protection and enhance family stability and social cohesion.