Pubdate: Sun, 27 Mar 2005
Source: Khaleej Times (UAE)
Copyright: 2005 Khaleej Times
Contact:  http://khaleejtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/996

UNODC BUREAU IN UAE TO CHECK DRUGS GROWTH

AJMAN -- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has decided 
to set up a bureau in the UAE to coordinate efforts among the states in the 
region to check growth of drugs and crime.

This was revealed during the launch of "Protectors of the Future", a 
programme aimed at fighting drugs and crime by UNODC, and organised here by 
Umm Al Momineen Association in coordination with Dubai Police Department 
and Right Start Foundation of the UK, yesterday.

The programme will go on till Wednesday. More than 50 UAE national men and 
women volunteers have registered for the training programme, which was 
inaugurated by Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairperson of Ajman 
Educational Zone, and Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, 
Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police and Head of Juvenile Welfare Association.

The event was attended by top government officials including Ali Majid Al 
Matroushi, Director-General of Ajman Police, as well as directors of 
various government and private establishments in Ajman besides a number of 
young UAE nationals. The inaugural programme featured recitation of verses 
from the Holy Quran followed by speeches by Lt-Gen. Dhahi and Fatima Al 
Matroushi, Director of Umm Al Momineen Association.

Addressing the gathering, Lt-Gen. Dhahi said Dubai Police Department was 
willing to train 2,800 volunteers free of charge in 26 countries to work 
for the fight against drugs as part of the "Protectors of the Future" 
programme. Dubai Police decided to conduct the training because it had 
tremendous experience and international technical capabilities to carry out 
this project. He said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between 
Dubai Police and the UN Regional Bureau assigning the task of fighting 
drugs and crime, and the Right Start foundation in the UK to 
'internationalise' the anti-drugs awareness programme "Protectors of the 
Future".  He said UAE had been chosen as the place to set up the bureau 
because of the significant achievement in seizing drugs and contraband 
narcotics in the country last year. This success, he said, indicates the 
major technical and human capabilities of the UAE.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager