smoking society, Kafa, has warned parents to guard against their children using illegal Captagon pills as about three million students began their final school examinations this week. The society further advised teachers and guardians to be aware of the use of the drug which is said to help students stay awake and study. According to Sheikh Abdullah Al-Othaim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kafa, drug dealers see the examination period as a boon for their trade and offer drugs for free or at low prices to get young people addicted. Al-Othaim pointed out parents need to keep an eye on their children and should be aware of their responsibilities to protect their children from such dangers. “They should also work on reducing the expected fear of exams and create a suitable environment for them,” Al-Othaim said. He noted that drug dealers are known for trying to gain new clientele during the exams. “They give out the pills for free to pupils during exam time, and this should ring alarm bells, particularly given the rise in the number of persons smoking which is the first step to going off the rails,” he said. Al-Othaim pointed out that the government is sparing no effort to fight all forms of drugs, and is keen to keep Saudi youth safe. “The government has never been merciful to anyone who wishes to harm the Saudi youth. The Ministry of Interior acts strictly against drug dealers. We all know that the punishment for drug dealers is death. This could not happen if the government did not realize how harmful drugs are to our youths, who are the true wealth of the country,” he said. He added that schools and educators cannot be blamed for what has now become a phenomenon. “Parents must warn their children of the dangers of bad behavior and encourage them to avoid all suspicious activities. Education is a process that should always be monitored by both parents and schools,” Al
