Rehab helps 130 Emiratis overcome drug addiction in 9 months

Rehabilitation programmes initiated by the Dubai Police have helped 130 Emiratis overcome their drug addictions so far this year, with 183 more expected to "completely heal" in the near future, anti-narcotics officials said yesterday.

"Cured Emiratis have become fully rehabilitated to reintegrate into society and play their respective roles with responsibility and integrity," Dr Lt Col Jumaa Sultan Al Shamsi, head of awareness and prevention at the Dubai Police's anti-narcotics department, told Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister newspaper of The National.

"The relapse rate among Emiratis is noticeably decreasing," he said.

The patients, all of whom have completed their prison sentences for drug consumption, are considered cured after they remain sober for one year.

Over the past three years, 144 Emiratis have willingly joined rehabilitation programmes in Dubai, 121 were admitted to Al Amal Hospital and the rest were referred to the National Rehabilitation Centre, Lt Col Al Shamsi said.

newsdesk@thenational.ae