As part of the ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Activities,' the Permanent Committee for Drug and Alcohol Affairs (PCDAA) organised a number of lectures at the Villaggio last week.
Religious sermons were delivered by Sheikh Khalid Abdul Aleem Muthawalli and Tariq al-Hawass from Saudi Arabia, while an awareness lecture on relapse prevention was presented by Dr Mohamed Ali al-Mahi, a psychiatric consultant at the Social Rehabilitation Centre.
The Supreme Council of Health's Muneer al-Soosi gave a lecture providing an overview of addiction, while TV presenter Mohamed al-Lanjawi presented educational activities for children.
Muthawalli said that humans should not do anything to affect their reason, time, honour, family or religion, saying that broken families and bad friendships are the main factors contributing to drug abuse.
He also said that Muslims should do their best to help recovering addicts who wish to repent and return to leading a normal life.
"Relaxation and meditation, enjoying time with hobbies, partaking in recreational activities and enhancing spiritual and religious aspects will help addiction treatment," said Dr al-Mahi, urging the families of the addicts to help involve them in social activities following treatment.
In his sermon, al-Hawass said: "Lack of religious restraint, more leisure time, bad friends, family problems and pressures can all lead to drug addiction."
Al-Soosi spoke about the country's efforts to curb drug trafficking and raise awareness of issues related to drug consumption.
He referred to a number of indicators of drug addiction, citing a deterioration in studies, absence from school or home and socialising with new friends as possible signals for drug use, as well as physical traits such as a pale face, red eyes and weight loss.
"In addition, behaviour like stealing things from the house to sell, a lack of communication with family, not visiting relatives and irregularity in prayers are also indicators of drug abuse," he added.
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