KUWAIT: Narcotics and illicit drugs have an adversarial impact on society with all roads leading to "doom and gloom" no matter how "careful" a user is. Kuwait's Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs Ministry plays a crucial role in the state's efforts to counter the evils of narcotics, providing moral and religious guidance to those entangled with drugs. Speaking to KUNA, religious experts all agreed that the war on drugs must become a societal priority, saying that mosques and guidance centers play a role in countering narcotics' menace.

Several religious-centered media campaigns geared towards warning against illicit drugs were launched in the past in coordination amongst several state entities, said head of media at the ministry of Awqad Dr. Ahmad Al-Otaibi. He noted that a media campaign was inaugurated recently focusing on the youth sectors, saying that it was to promote the virtue of performing religious duties and steering clear from vices.

Imam of Abdullah ibin Al-Arqam mosque Dr Farhan Al-Shimmari

Cornering the fight against narcotics, he affirmed that campaigns should be modernized and should target all sectors of society in order for the battle against drugs to be successful. On his part, Imam of Abdullah ibin Al-Arqam mosque Dr Farhan Al-Shimmari stressed that all efforts must be based on the solid principles of Islam, revealing that Imams of mosques and religious centers were encouraged to protect the youth from narcotics through wisdom and patience.

Head of voluntary team Islamic scholar, Adel Al-Azmi

He praised the Ministry of Awqaf for their efforts in supporting Imams and guiding them through the current efforts to combat narcotics, affirming that this cause was worth the fight especially with the rate of death from narcotics related causes was on the rise. The evils of drugs could not be disputed, affirmed Adel Al-Azmi, an Islamic scholar, pointing out that the increase of narcotics use was something that needed to be addressed with all due seriousness. He went on to say that there were main incidents where the use of narcotics had been linked to various crimes including assault and event murder; therefore, society as a whole must stand against the spread of drugs. - KUNA