Mishal Al-Otaibi Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Parents and guardians have been urged to take extra caution against drug dealers and gangs that could be targeting their children as school exams approach. Abdulilah Bin Mohammed Al-Sharif, assistant director general for preventive affairs at the General Directorate to Combat Drugs, said drug gangs would try to convince students to take narcotic pills by misleading them into thinking that it would help them mentally. “These gangs try to impress the younger generation by claiming these pills would help them get lessons memorized without much effort.” Al-Sharif, an international expert on drugs, said more than 106 million narcotic pills, mainly Captogen, were seized by the customs officials and security forces during the last 18 months. “Parents must be aware of the symptoms of drug abuse to discover whether their kids are taking it or not. “The symptoms include sleeplessness, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive emotions, pallor, lack of appetite, excessive talk and chatter, bad breath and aggressiveness.” He said narcotic pills are dangerous enough to damage the cognitive abilities of the addict. Al-Sharif, who is also chairman of the national committee to look into addiction cases in the Kingdom, said parents should create an appropriate environment for their children to grow up and stay away from the company of bad friends. He also urged school authorities to give first priority to combatting drugs and raise awareness among students about the adverse effects of narcotics. “All efforts shall be exerted to prevent drugs reaching citizens and foreigners, especially their children.” Maj. Ahmad Al-Faris, director of the department for research and chemical precursor at the directorate, said narcotic pills contain many chemicals such as lead and mercury that kill millions of brain cells and hit the addict's nerve centers. “Taking Captogen leads to addiction and suicidal and aggressive tendencies.” Two weeks ago, Interior Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Naif approved a national strategic plan to combat drugs. The plan included various programs that will be implemented in collaboration with 25 various government departments. The strategy will target the general public, especially 5 million students in the Kingdom.
