Doctors have called for stricter controls of prescription medicines amid concerns over levels of addiction in the Middle East.
Medics told the Hemaya International Forum and Exhibition on Drug Issues of two major worries: the easy availability of medicines like anti-depressants and the mixing of synthetic 'legal highs', some of which can be bought over the internet.
Despite strict controls and tough punishments in the Middle East and elsewhere, dealers often remain ahead of the curve, selling new substances that are yet to be identified and banned.
Dr Tareq Al Ahmedi, Associate Professor of Co-Toxins at King Fahd Security College in Riyadh, singled out 'flakka', which made headlines in the United States last year.
Dubbed the "zombie drug" for sending users into psychotic outbursts, it was linked to 63 deaths in Florida in 16 months and banned in the UAE last year.
On the first day of the Hemaya conference in Dubai, top security officials said that traffickers linked to Hezbollah were arrested trying to bring narcotics into the UAE in an attempt to fund the militant group's activities.
"There is a rise of new synthetic drugs," he said.
"Traffickers are now mixing drugs and legal substances to come up with new forms of addictive drugs, such as flakka."
He made reference to reports of users biting other victims in a violent rage.
Drug dealers are also using websites and social media sites to promote illegal substances.
Eighteen websites have already been shut down since the beginning of 2018 for promoting drugs, Dubai police said on Tuesday.
“Police e-patrols tracked down and closed websites that were found advertising and selling illegal substances,” said Brig Eid Thani Hareb, director of the anti-narcotic department at Dubai Police.
Brig Hareb said these websites belonged to drug traffickers who were not living in the country.
“A total of 60 websites were closed in 2017 for promoting drugs, compared to 40 websites in 2016,” he said.
Brig Hareb said they will continue monitoring the internet and come up with new techniques, such as the use of artificial intelligence, to curb the illegal drug trade.
Dr Al Ahmed also said some people take advantage of mental health medication to get high. Other commonly abused drugs include the strong anti-pain medication tramadol, which cannot be bought over the counter but can be acquired with a special prescription.
“There have been many international conventions to stop the abuse of certain medicines, such as those prescribed for depression,” he said.
“Recent studies show that there will be growing use of industrial drugs in the future.
"I believe some of these industrial drugs have been smuggled into Arab countries."
He referred to a number of cases involving young men who killed their parents when high on drugs, though did not state which Arab state that happened in.
Dr Al Ahmedi also told delegates of the dangers of abusing steroids or performance-enhancement drugs, which as The National has reported, are widely available despite controls.
“Using any type of medication frequently may lead to addiction,” he added.
“There is a need for stricter regulations to control the use of over the counter medicine, especially medicines prescribed for depression,” he said
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Read more:
'Zombie drug' flakka is banned by UAE authorities
Traffickers linked to Hezbollah caught trying to sell drugs on streets of UAE
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Mona Al Yatamya, a mental health expert in Kuwait, said drugs like flakka will show up in the Gulf states, whatever the controls.
“Flakka is expected to reach the Gulf countries. Consumption or use among people in our countries will result in significant consequences," she said.
She said law enforcement and the authorities cannot take for granted that drugs will not reach the streets of the Gulf.
She said even drug experts "did not expect that crystal meth would be consumed in Gulf countries 17 years ago, yet at the moment, it is widely spread in the market,” she said.
“Although some drug traffickers are behind bars in Kuwait, they manage to find a way to distribute drugs in the country. They have their own ways to distribute drugs in Kuwait. They manage to communicate with others involved in drug trafficking over the phone.”
Dr Hisham Al Araby, from the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi, said in addition to closing loopholes and tackling drug gangs, there must be a focus on rehabilitation.
“Some disorders emerge because of the use of new types of drugs... psychological disorders. Most recovering drug addicts start abusing substances again,” said Dr Al Araby.
Class A-type drugs may be difficult to acquire, but he said many addicts simply mix together a variety of legal or partially controlled substances.
“We have witnessed people struggling with depression who mix tramadol and energy drinks to get high,” he added.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Roma 4
Milner (15' OG), Dzeko (52'), Nainggolan (86', 90 4')
Liverpool 2
Mane (9'), Wijnaldum (25')
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
AIDA%20RETURNS
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Sweet%20Tooth
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'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
%E2%80%98White%20Elephant%E2%80%99
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Alan%20Wake%20Remastered%20
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Frida%20
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Brief scores:
Newcastle United 1
Perez 23'
Wolverhampton Rovers 2
Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4
Red cards: Yedlin 57'
Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
FA Cup fifth round draw
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
57%20Seconds
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The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The years Ramadan fell in May
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
