A system to help treat drug abusers will be launched by the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) this year.
There is no conclusive data on the number of addicts in the UAE but an extensive study on the prevalence of abuse - both drugs and alcohol - is due to be published at the end of the year.
Created by the Matrix Institute on Addictions, first introduced in Los Angeles in 1984, the Matrix Model aims to rehabilitate addicts through an outpatient service.
Staff from the NRC will travel to the United States in June to begin their training. The treatment method, part of which focuses on education and training staff to deal with relapses, will be introduced as part of the NRC's plans to expand its outpatient service this year, said Dr Tarek Gawad, the medical director.
A 200-bed facility in Khalifa City A is also due for completion in 2014.
Seventy-seven beds are currently available for inpatients.
Given the UAE's close proximity to Afghanistan, the availability of heroin is a problem, said Professor Richard Rawson, the associate director for the University of California's integrated substance abuse programme.
Tramadol, a post-operative painkiller, is also a concern, said the professor, who visited the NRC this week to assess its ability to adopt the Matrix programme.
By treating more people as outpatients, the turnover would be higher, resulting in more patients being seen, he added. If the model follows the same path it has taken in the US, it would also save the healthcare industry financially, said Prof Rawson. "In the US, the average outpatient episode is about US$5,000 [Dh18,365]. For an inpatient, this will be about $30,000 to $40,000," he said.
About 80 per cent of treatment in Britain, the US and Australia is carried out on an outpatient basis.
Criteria used to establish whether someone is treated as an outpatient or inpatient can include the history of their addiction, its severity and their social support network. The model would be adapted to fit the UAE.
"Here, we know there is more emphasis on family. Here, we know we have to engage the family [in the treatment model]," said Prof Rawson.
zalhassani@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
SCHEDULE
December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)
All matches start at 10am
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
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Courses%20at%20Istituto%20Marangoni%2C%20Dubai
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUndergraduate%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EInterior%20Design%3B%20Product%20Design%3B%20Visual%20Design%3B%20Fashion%20Design%20%26amp%3B%20Accessories%3B%20Fashion%20Styling%20%26amp%3B%20Creative%20Direction%3B%20Fashion%20Business%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Fashion%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Design%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EProfessional%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20e-Commerce%20%26amp%3B%20Digital%20Marketing%3B%20Fashion%20Entrepreneurship%3B%20Fashion%20Luxury%20Retail%20and%20Visual%20Merchandising%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShort%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20design%3B%20Fashion%20Image%20%26amp%3B%20Styling%3B%20Fashion%20Trend%20Forecasting%3B%20Interior%20Design%3B%20Digital%20Art%20in%20Fashion%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20is%20at%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istitutomarangoni.com%2Fen%3Futm_source%3DLocal%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3Dgmb%26utm_content%3Ddubai%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Ewww.istitutomarangoni.com%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
TOURNAMENT INFO
Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers
Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.
TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
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