Qabbaj lauds Arab anti-drug plan

Egypt’s Social Solidarity Minister Nevine Qabbaj has stressed the importance of an Arab plan to prevent and reduce risks of drugs in Arab countries.

The plan was designed by a team of experts at Egypt’s Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, and revised by the Arab League (AL), Qabbaj said, adding that it is also supported by the UN.

Speaking during a meeting to launch the plan earlier Sunday, Qabbaj said Egypt is willing to share its know-how in this regard with Arab countries.

The meeting was held at the AL HQ and was attended by AL Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit and Ghada Waly, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The meeting aims to successfully address the file of drugs from a social perspective.

Qabbaj praised efforts exerted to outline the plan and thanked the AL, the UNODC and the Egyptian anti-addiction fund for their contribution, believing such “distinguished plan” would sure translate into national policies and programs in Arab countries.

This plan should serve as a guide to develop policies and exchange regional expertise to face drug abuse and addiction among Arab youth, the minister further said.

She also touched upon a 2023-2027 comprehensive Egyptian anti-drug plan that focuses on the aspects of supply and demand. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi had directed serious action to radically solve social problems that evolve into abuse and addiction, the minister noted.

Egypt supports all international and regional efforts to counter drugs, which, according to Qabbaj, is a phenomenon that transcends the geographical boundaries.