The National Drug Enforcement Authority launched its nationwide campaign under the theme United as One to Eradicate the Threat during an event in Dubai on June 24 2026 that coincided with preparations for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan the authority’s chairman attended alongside senior officials from government media education and security sectors according to a report by the Emirates News Agency. Al Nahyan stated that the UAE remains resolute in its efforts to combat drugs through a comprehensive framework of prevention public awareness legislation law enforcement treatment and rehabilitation support. The chairman added that the fight against drugs is a shared national duty requiring awareness solidarity and collaboration with safeguarding people as the foundation for any nation’s progress and stability.
According to the authority’s statement the campaign is structured around three main pillars with the family positioned as the first line of defence through trust dialogue and emotional support. The second pillar focuses on youth to raise confidence encourage informed decisions and equip young people to reject threats while the third centres on schools as partners in education and nurturing. Al Nahyan said the authority firmly believes true awareness is achieved when it fosters trust inspires hope and opens doors for support and solidarity. The event also introduced the authority’s new visual identity reflecting its vision for enhanced prevention expanded partnerships and reinforced community awareness the statement noted.
A panel discussion at the launch titled The Socialisation Ecosystem examined the roles of families schools and rehabilitation centres in protecting youth from drug abuse according to participants including specialists from Dubai Police and the National Rehabilitation Centre. Speakers addressed how social media gaming and fake accounts increasingly target younger generations creating new challenges that require closer family communication and trust-building. The authority’s announcement highlighted that protecting the young generation is a collective responsibility where every positive action or early report could save a life and ensure a brighter future.
Major Fahad Abdullah Haikal cited the UNODC World Drug Report 2025 during the event noting that over 316 million people roughly 6 percent of the global working-age population use drugs marking a 28 percent increase over the past decade. The National Drug Enforcement Authority which was established in August 2025 coordinates national policies legislation and strategies to dismantle trafficking networks while promoting treatment through the confidential Hosn service at 80044. The campaign rolls out awareness programmes tailored to youth language and interests using inspiring messaging to empower families and enable those in need to seek help without fear of punishment the authority reported.
Al Nahyan emphasised that UAE laws are humane existing to rescue and heal rather than punish while guaranteeing confidentiality privacy high standards of care and full exemption from criminal liability for those who seek assistance. The authority’s campaign builds on the leadership’s vision that places human well-being and community security at the forefront of development according to the event summary. Participants stressed that a cohesive family and informed youth form the bedrock for societal stability in the face of evolving drug threats.
