Slowly, but surely, the Arab world is awakening to the growing menace of the drug problem, reports The New York Times. This is especially true in Dubai.
In order to effectively deal with the problem, police and public health officials in Dubai are addressing this problem openly and stressing on the adverse effects of drugs like heroin and ecstasy. The report said that more and more officials and religious leaders were stressing on the need to kick the habit through speeches and religious sermons.The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says that there are about 500,000 drug abusers in the region. "It's no longer quiet, and no longer hidden," Dr. Farida Allaghi, general coordinator of Mentor Arabia was quoted as telling the Times. "The taboo around drug addiction is fading because the problem is becoming too scary."
