KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) concluded on Wednesday a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at combating drug abuse and trafficking, launched on June 12 in collaboration with the Kuwait Center for Addiction Treatment and several partner institutions. The initiative focused on educating the public – particularly youth and adolescents – on the dangers of addiction and the importance of prevention.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Abeer Al-Bahou, Director of the Health Promotion Department at the MoH, said the campaign, held under the slogan “The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention to break the cycle,” featured a series of educational activities addressing the global challenge of drug addiction, which continues to endanger the lives of millions around the world. Al-Bahou noted that the campaign also included a public questionnaire aimed at gauging awareness levels among adults in Kuwait regarding drug addiction. A total of 482 individuals participated in the survey through randomized sampling conducted via social media platforms.
KUWAIT: Participants are pictured during the event. – KUNA photos
According to the findings, 55 percent of respondents recognized drug addiction as a chronic, treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior, ultimately impairing a person’s ability to control substance use. Approximately 60 percent attributed the root causes of addiction to negative family influences, poor social environments, a lack of supervision during travel, psychological vulnerabilities and peer pressure. The survey further revealed that over 56 percent identified key symptoms of addiction as deceitful behavior, stealing, emotional instability, personal neglect and withdrawal symptoms. Meanwhile, more than 60 percent acknowledged the psychological effects of drug abuse, including depression, memory impairment and hallucinations. Notably, over 71 percent pointed to serious health complications such as viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, miscarriage and fetal deformities as potential consequences of drug use.
Dr Al-Bahou said 64 percent of respondents highlighted prevention methods such as family engagement, school-based support, and community awareness efforts as effective tools in combating drug abuse. She expressed optimism at the survey’s findings, which indicated strong public awareness and understanding of the issue.
In a related statement, Adnan Al-Othman, Executive Director of Al-Othman Real Estate Portfolio, underscored the critical role of awareness campaigns in curbing the spread of narcotics, particularly among the youth. He emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with relevant authorities to raise community consciousness about the dangers of drugs, their various forms and methods of prevention.
“These campaigns serve as a vital shield in the fight against this menace by informing the public of its destructive consequences and methods of prevention,” Al-Othman said. He added that the initiative aligns with the vision of Thalth Al-Mahmoum Abdullah Al-Othman, which supports social responsibility through the Al-Othman Real Estate Portfolio and Dar Al-Othman. Al-Othman affirmed that the group remains committed to launching community-focused initiatives in the fields of health, sports, culture and social welfare. He noted that these programs reflect Thalth Al-Othman’s broader mission of enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainable charitable work in Kuwait. — KUNA
