��������

RIYADH: The Saudi Center for Studies and Research on Drug Prevention (Haseen), an affiliate of Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, on Wednesday became a certified regional training center for substance abuse prevention.

The rector of Al-Imam University, Sulaiman bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail, received the Haseen center’s accreditation from the chairman of the National Committee for Combating Drugs (Nebras) and deputy director general of the General Directorate for Drug Control, Abdul Ilah Al-Sharif.

“Al-Imam University and Nebras are working together at a rather fast pace to find scientific, preventative and educational solutions for protecting our children from drugs, deviant behaviors and extremism,” Aba Al-Khail said.

He also pointed out that Al-Imam University is ambitious enough to seek international accreditation for the Haseen center and not just local accreditation. “We have all it takes to reach this goal,” he added.

He stressed that drugs and terrorism are two sides of the same coin, and that drugs would eventually lead to terrorism.

“Terrorists are using drugs to support their work,” he explained, “and Al-Imam University is ready for all that serves our religion and country by cooperating with Nebras to help counter the scourge of drugs and their deadly impact on society.”

For his part, Abdul Ilah Al-Sharif praised Al-Imam University’s educational, training and scientific role in combating drugs by cooperating with the NCNC and mobilizing all efforts to prevent drug abuse, treat addicts and develop policies that achieve the desired goals in this cause.

“These efforts are directed by Minister of Interior Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and apply international standards in protecting the youth and preventing drug damage through the collaboration of the Nebras project and the Saudi Center for Studies and Research on Drug Prevention (Haseen),” he added.

The dean of the Haseen center, Ibrahim bin Al-Zaben, said achieving this accreditation was the result of the efforts of the center’s management and staff, and “its importance lies in its support for Haseen’s continuous work.”

He also pointed out that the center has carried out several programs to combat and prevent substance abuse, including organizing an educational program for students on the scourge of drugs, conducting drug prevention training sessions for students and instructors, and presenting international and local experiences in the field of drug prevention.