KUWAIT: Director General of the Interior Ministry's General Department of Security Relations and Media Maj Gen Tawheed Al-Kandari affirmed the ministry's keenness to confront, with all force, firmness, and direct preemptive strikes, drug smugglers and dealers. Based on directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Undersecretary Lt Gen Anwar Al-Barjas, fighting drugs and protecting youth from its dangers and harms are at top of the ministry's priorities, Kandari said in a statement to KUNA.

In its war on drugs, the ministry is working on two main axes, Kandari explained. The first is reducing the supply of narcotics, psychotropic substances and alcohol by launching comprehensive security campaigns against drug dealers and smugglers, while the second axis is to reduce local demand for drugs. He mentioned the general department of relations and security media at the interior ministry carries out awareness and educational media campaigns throughout the year in all media and social media to protect the society and immunize it from the scourge of drugs.

Kandari stressed that confronting the dangers of drugs is everyone's responsibility. "We will not allow harm to our children and youth and rob their future," he vowed, noting that security efforts are continuing to combat all operations and types of smuggling and arrest everyone who brings and trades in narcotic substances of all kinds to protect and safeguard society from these devastating scourges.

Kandari said the administration has developed an educational awareness strategy for students of schools, universities and institutes in coordination with the General Administration for Drug Control and the ministry of education. Around 42 lectures have been held in public and private schools, in addition to Kuwait University, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training and private universities. In coordination with concerned authorities, 15 exhibitions were also held during the first semester of the academic year 2022-2023 to raise the level of awareness among male and female students. - KUNA