ABU DHABI - The UAE National Rehabilitation Centre, NRC, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, INL, of the US Department of State, signed today a MoU to enhance cooperation between them in identifying approaches and unify efforts to decrease the economic and social burden of drugs addiction.
Dr. Hamad Al Ghaferi, NRC Director-General and Steven Bondy, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in the UAE, signed the agreement with a number of officials from both sides in presence.
Al Ghaferi said, "This MOU echoes our leadership's directives regarding the eradication of the impacts of substance abuse and falls under the umbrella of implementing the NRC’s objectives, strategies, and vision to enhance cooperation and partnerships with the competent bodies worldwide."
"Collaborating with the INL Bureau to reduce substance demand also supports the NRC’s plans to develop into a regional coordination hub for drugs control. This collaboration is considered as a recognition of the centre’s role in combating drugs addiction, as well as its sustainable endeavours to protect youth and all social segments against substance dependency," he added.
In addition to its awareness campaigns and educational and cultural programmes, the NRC has established, in association with the International Centre for Credentialing and Education of Addiction Professionals’ Global Treatment Programme, developed by the Colombo Plan, and the INL Bureau, a specialised training centre.
The MoU emphasises both parties’ desire to enhance mechanisms for disseminating the INL Bureau’s drug prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes.
This objective shall be attained through collaboration with other international organisations such as the World Health Organisation, WHO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, the African Union, AU, the Organisation of American States, OAS, International Society of Addiction Medicine, ISAM, and the Colombo Plan.
The NRC shall focus its attention on the Arab world’s concerns, establishing training programmes and overseeing their delivery to support the prevention, awareness, and treatment of substance abuse.
The MoU establishes a mutual understanding of governance-related risks, institutions, security, and capacity-building of drugs treatment and prevention professionals, including the creation of a network of prevention and treatment experts through the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, ISSUP.
© Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2018.
