VIENNA: Kuwait stressed the importance of unifying international efforts to fight narcotic drugs across the world. This came in a statement by Chief of Kuwait's General Directorate for Drug Control Colonel Mohammad Qabazard to KUNA on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 66th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

The annual conference gathered delegates from more than 120 countries. Col Qabazard stressed Kuwait's commitment to the provisions of international law and the treaties related to combating drugs. He indicated that there is a firm tendency in Kuwait to combat this deadly scourge and protect society, lauding great importance paid by the country's officials to combat drugs, especially through continuous coordination with all brotherly and friendly countries.

Kuwait has harnessed all potential and made joint efforts to combat drugs that resulted in seizing a large number of drugs in 2020, he said, stressing the importance of exchanging information between the Gulf, Arab, regional and international anti-drug agencies. Confronting drugs requires boosting social, economic, health and cultural cooperation, he stated.

A Kuwaiti delegation is partaking in the 66th session that is led by Kuwait's Ambassador to Austria and its permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Talal Al-Fassam. Director-General of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Ghada Waly warned against increasing risks of drugs across the globe. She stressed the necessity of addressing challenges caused by this scourge.

Meanwhile, Kuwait media outlets have been contributing extensively to the fight against narcotics and illicit drugs, chipping in heavily into the current nationwide campaign to rid society of such evils. Whether using regular broadcasting, or posting on social media, the campaign against narcotics truly became a social phenomenon reflecting Kuwaitis and residents' keenness on protecting their country.

Media had been playing an exceptional role in spreading awareness regarding the impact of illegal drugs on society, journalist and media figure Fayez Al-Zaal said. Living in what seems like a hyperactive world required media outlets to step up their game especially when it comes to battling the alarming spread of narcotics in society, he said, adding that no matter the format, whether it was visual, paper, or audio, the fight against drug is an important task. He noted that with the advent of social media, the parameters had changed a bit, but still, media could manage to spread awareness even on a different platform. - KUNA