KUWAIT: Media nowadays where nations have become much more closer play a main role in promoting awareness of drastic issues emanating from addiction to drugs. The media outlets in modern times are a powerful means that affect communities; effective not only in combating narcotics but also in fighting all kinds of crimes and negative phenomena that threaten societies, said Dr Hussein Ibrahim, the information professor at Kuwait University in an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Dr Hussein Ibrahim

Ethics of the profession dictate promoting awareness of the hazards caused by all kinds of addiction, he said, noting that the addictive materials affect not only the addicted but also people close to him (her), namely the family. Digital media in particular can play a major role in this respect, he said, adding that this realm is the most effective means in fighting drugs due to their spread particularly among the youth, many of whom are prone to be addicted.

However, he cautioned that not all media outlets can play the required role in this regard, also underscoring the need that the involved staff must have sufficient education and knowledge to address the appropriate messages to the public. Dr. Ibrahim urged relevant associations and entities to employ experienced media personnel to form the appropriate messages against the narcotics, indicating that age categories should be taken into consideration in publicity.

Mona Al-Yatama

The media is the frontline, after the family, in the education against drugs, Dr Ibrahim said without neglecting role of schools, colleges and sport clubs, cautioning that shopping malls are some of the places where teenagers mingle and may acquire some of the bad habits from each others. Mona Al-Yatama, a consultant for treating addiction, told KUNA that in the past, the media role at this level was largely limited however addiction was on a small scale too.

She advised against soliciting advice from the inexperienced personnel, considering that this issue is quite intricate. Al-Yatama advised stakeholders to abstain from addressing direct advices to the addicted for many tend to reply negatively. Advising families and parents, he noted that the youngsters, when falling prey to drugs, tend to change friends, ask for money recurrently, manifest unstable mood, lose weight, fail to show up at work and school.

Anti-narcotics fight

Meanwhile, various state and independent entities recently expressed a desire to join the fight against narcotics, notorious effect of which on society cannot be denied. Amongst such bodies is the Kuwait-based Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences, which collaborated with the Health Ministry to become part of the anti-drugs campaign.

In this regard, chairman of the organization Dr Mohammad Al-Jarallah told KUNA that they had been continuously coordinating with the ministry and other entities to promote healthy living and advise people against the use of illicit material. Last September, the organization had arranged the "mobilization of Islamic medical sciences against drugs" event in coordination with the Health and Interior Ministries, the Arab League and other entities.

He went on to say that the welfare and health of Muslim societies was a priority, affirming that drug use was a threat to address. The organization, he said, targets all sectors of society, providing social and moral guidance, in addition to medical advice. There are several factors leading to the spread of narcotic use in society, said Al-Jarallah, noting that lack of family supervision and role models contributed to people slipping into the pit of illicit substances.

He called for toughening laws concerning the selling of drugs and those meaning harm to society, indicating that this was a national, regional, and international duty. The Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences was established in 1984 by later Amir His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It focuses on unifying Islamic medical stances on various issues including treatment and preventative measures. - KUNA