Sheikh Mohammed announces formation of national council to combat drug trafficking

image: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, chaired a UAE cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, on June 7. The meeting saw key decisions being announced, including the formation of a national council to boost the fight against drugs and related crimes, according to a report by the Dubai Media Office.

The National Council Against Drugs is chaired by Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “I chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi, at which we adopted the formation of the National Council Against Drugs chaired by Saif bin Zayed. The council aims at combating drug trafficking, enhancing international cooperation in drug control, strengthening cooperation between ministries, local entities and security institutions, and providing early detection and psychological and medical support for addicts.”

.@HHShkMohd chairs #UAE Cabinet and approves UAE National Sports Strategy 2031 in addition to the formation of a new council chaired by @SaifBZayed to combat drugs.https://t.co/DSzPSww8Yo pic.twitter.com/2kZkPQ9exB

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 7, 2023

Key responsibilities of the National Council Against Drugs

The council is responsible to develop a national drug control strategy, including prevention, awareness-raising, provision of medical and psychological treatment, and strengthening of community and functional integration mechanisms for recovered-addicts.

Additionally, the newly formed council aims to enhancing federal and local institutional integration to combat illicit drug trafficking, following-up on the implementation of plans and policies to combat the collection and smuggling of narcotic drugs through all UAE borders.

The National Council Against Drugs will work on promoting international cooperation and outreach to global drug portfolio stakeholders and institutions, and reviewing existing legislation and propose necessary amendments and submit them to the Council of Ministers.

Other decisions approved by the UAE cabinet

The cabinet also approved the UAE National Sports Strategy 2031, the first comprehensive national strategy that regulates the frameworks of improving the community wellbeing and adopted a policy organising the market of energy services companies in the country.

The policy aims to consolidate the mechanisms of doing business, financing and partnerships with the private sector. The policy clarifies the contractual framework between all parties and the various contracting mechanisms.