The Charity for Awareness of the Harms of Smoking and Drugs in Makkah has warned school pupils and students against the use of the stimulant drug fenethylline, more commonly known by its trademark name captagon, in the face of a concerted effort by drug dealers to target students during the examination period. Abdullah Hasan Sarouji of the society said that tablets of the drug, which is reputed to improve focus and memory, were being distributed to students free of charge in the examination period as drug dealers exploit the opportunity to widen dependence and gain new customers. Sarouji said that creating awareness of the dangers of smoking and drugs was not the sole responsibility of schools and teachers, but that parents should also play a greater role, notably during the period of examinations when students are at their most vulnerable. Sarouji added that while parents are expected to provide guidance for their children, students themselves should assume their share of responsibility. According to statistics revealed early last month by the Study and Research Administration at the Anti-Narcotics National Committee, about 700,000 Captagon pills are used every day in the Kingdom.
