Saudi Gazette The first step in the battle against drugs is educating the public on the devastating effects of drugs on the user's physical and emotional health, family and social life, job, and financial status. Prevention is the key to tackling the drug problem in any society. Programs to increase awareness must be implemented in schools, colleges, universities, and the work place. Princess Adela Bint Abdullah actively supports the anti-drug campaign launched by the women's section of the National Committee for Narcotics Control. The women organized a mobile exhibition that will visit several highly populated areas and shopping centers in Riyadh and Jeddah to deliver their important message. The first destination for this anti-drugs mobile exhibit was at the lecture hall in King Abdul Aziz Cultural Center. The drug awareness display showed pictures of victims who had fallen prey to the toxic chemicals. The drug addicts had sallow faces, dark circles under their eyes, and their bodies looked wasted away and lifeless. Samples of real drugs were also on display to show young women exactly what the drugs looked like and to warn them what they should beware of. Hundreds of informational brochures prepared by the National Committee for Narcotics Control were distributed to visitors. A documentary film on the drugs crisis in the Kingdom was also shown. Some women who are interested in helping signed up as volunteers to become a part of the Kingdom's fight against drugs. The exhibition was praised by Princess Bint Abdullah and she thanked the organizers for all their efforts. Princess Adela added that all segments of society must work hard to crush the spread of drugs in the country. She encourages more educational programs, lectures, and activities that target all members of society, especially children and teenagers. One study published on the patterns of substance abuse in Saudi Arabia stated that 83% of drug addicts in the Kingdom are under the age of 32 years. Knowledge may be our children's best defense against these poisons. The head of the women's department of the National Committee for Narcotics Control pointed out that this mobile anti-drug exhibit is one part of a series of planned programs and activities aimed to strengthen every family's awareness of the problem of drug abuse. The women's department is working with various government and private organizations to protect women and children from the deadly grip of drugs. In an interview with Dr. Sulaiman Al-Zaydi, psychologist, assistant general supervisor, and head of the public awareness department at Al-Amal Hospital in Jeddah, he informed the Saudi Gazette of some warning signs that may indicate a drug problem in children and teenagers. Parents should be concerned if they notice the following signs: n Your child suddenly and abruptly changes friends, and no longer hangs out with his/her usual group. n Your child takes no care his/her physical appearance and is always disheveled, messy, and unclean. n The affected person starts to use derogatory and rude verbal language. n The daily routine of eating and sleeping is disrupted. You may notice your son or daughter has insomnia and cannot sleep for days, but then slips into sleeping continuously for two to three days at a time. n Look out for reduced appetite, weight loss, and redness in the eyes. n School performance will drop sharply. n Drug use saps energy out of the body and the user will lose interest and enthusiasm in all the activities that he/she used to previously enjoy. __
