Drug addicts in the UAE

United Arab Emirates press sources said on Monday that the number of drug addicts in the UAE has reached 12,500 who spend almost 255 million dirhams (US $70 million) per year to get drugs.

The daily Gulf Today quoted a report by the UAE Health Ministry as saying that the number of drug traders in the UAE is estimated at 250. The drug addicts who answered the questions asked by the report are of UAE nationality and are of both sexes. They are aged between 15 and 30. They take heroin, morphine and opium.

The report on fighting drugs called for encouraging youths to take part in sports and cultural activities, and to carry out orientation and guidance campaigns in the mass media on the risks posed by drugs.

The paper quoted an official in the drug-fighting police department as saying the majority of drugs get into the country for reexportation in the Gulf area. He added most persons involved in drug trafficking are Asians who hide drugs in electrical equipment during shipping.

In 1995, the UAE enacted a death penalty decree on drug traffickers.