Bahrain’s efforts targeting narcotic drugs abuse

Bahrain’s Anti-Violence program (Together) has been recognized in the inaugural speech at the 25th DARE (Narcotic Drugs Abuse Resistance via Education) International Training Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia (July 24-26) and attended by a delegation from the Kingdom. DARE’s President and CEO Charlie Parsons praised the Together program in terms of the number of beneficiaries, the number of schools where the program has been implemented, pointing out that officers in charge of the program's training and qualification courses are community police service personnel. Parsons urged participants to view Bahrain's experience, praising remarkable efforts of the officers in charge of the program and urged everybody to visit the special exhibition section of the Together program. During the conference, the Together program's director, Ali Ahmed Amini, met with the Algerian delegation and elaborated on the causes which led to applying the program in Bahrain, its mission, objectives, the unique features which set it apart from other awareness programs. He also discussed the consideration of Arabicization and Bahrainization, the Bahraini environment, customs, traditions and Islamic teachings and values and how they are being incorporated into the program, which operates from both inside and outside the school environment. DARE President and CEO Parsons, Deputy Director Mike Kuhlman, and Director of Training Scott Gilliam thanked the Bahraini officers in charge of the program and expressed appreciation for their support and assistance. Parsons presented Amini with a commemorative shield in recognition of efforts on the part of the officers in charge of the program in Bahrain and for their contribution in spreading the DARE curriculum in Arab countries. (LB/IY)