DUBAI, 29 March 2007 (UNODC) - The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa, and Dubai Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim today signed a project to tackle drug abuse and the trafficking of illicit drugs in the United Arab Emirates and regionally.
"Through this project it is envisaged that the Dubai police will have a leading role in reversing increased drug trafficking and drug abuse among young people in the UAE and other states of the region," Mr Costa said.
UNODC will help upgrade the Dubai Police Training Centre into a centre of excellence for the region-wide transfer of knowledge and the training of law enforcement staff to ensure they have the skills needed to cope with an increased influx of narcotic drugs.
The $1.2 million project, fully funded by the Dubai police, will last for two and a half years, starting in April.
As part of the project, UNODC will assist Dubai and the UAE as a whole in developing a coordinated national action plan on drug demand reduction. The Office will also help develop and implement national drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention modules for schools and universities to address young people in a way that suits the culture of the Gulf region.
"Today's signing should be seen in the context of an ever-strengthening relationship and engagement between UNODC and the UAE," Mr Costa said.
"UNODC is grateful for the generous support we have received from the UAE, and in particular for the personal commitment, vision and leadership demonstrated by the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan."
***
