The National Anti-Drug Agency (UAE) held its 11th Ramadan council in Fujairah to explain why “intellectual fortification of children is the foundation of drug prevention”, and why everyday family habits, from open conversation to safer tech use, can reduce drug risks and behavioural deviation.
Key Takeaways: Drug prevention awareness in Fujairah
- The National Anti-Drug Agency ran its 11th Ramadan council during Ramadan in Fujairah.
- Speakers said the family role in protecting children from drugs starts with dialogue, values, and early awareness.
- Parents were urged to supervise children’s technology and social media use safely, without breaking trust.
Hosted at the majlis of Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Marshadi, Director General of the Fujairah GIS Center and an associate professor at United Arab Emirates University, the session brought together community members for a practical discussion on prevention. Dr. Humaid Jassim Al Zaabi moderated the council, which sits within wider UAE Ministry of Interior efforts that treat Drug Prevention as a shared responsibility, not only an enforcement issue.
The item highlights a UAE community-based prevention approach that frames drug risk reduction as a family and social responsibility, not only law enforcement. It also links youth protection to digital safety and social media monitoring, an increasingly important lifestyle and public-safety issue in the UAE. That is why the council focused on youth awareness programs that start at home, then extend into schools, peer groups, and online spaces.
| Detail | What was stated |
|---|---|
| Event | 11th Ramadan council |
| Theme | “Intellectual fortification of children is the foundation of drug prevention.” |
| Location | Fujairah Emirate, at the host’s majlis |
| Host | Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Marshadi |
| Moderator | Dr. Humaid Jassim Al Zaabi |
| Main focus | Family dialogue and parenting, plus safe monitoring of children’s technology and social media use |
What was discussed at the National Anti-Drug Agency Ramadan council in Fujairah?
Participants returned to one core message: prevention starts before a problem appears. In Fujairah, the council framed “intellectual fortification” as building a child’s ability to question harmful ideas, resist pressure, and recognise risky behaviour early. That includes consistent family dialogue and parenting, clear boundaries, and age-appropriate conversations about choices and consequences.
The speakers also linked prevention to behavioural deviation prevention. The point was simple: when families spot early warning signs, such as sudden secrecy, sharp changes in friends, or risky online behaviour, they can intervene earlier and seek guidance before harm escalates.
How are UAE families advised to protect children from drugs, according to the council?
The council’s guidance focused on what families can control day to day. Parents and guardians can keep communication open, ask direct questions, and listen without turning every conversation into an interrogation. That approach supports Family & Parenting goals by building trust, which makes it more likely children will speak up if they face pressure from peers or encounter suspicious content online.
It also reinforced Community Awareness as a practical tool. When families coordinate with schools, relatives, and trusted community figures, they reduce isolation and improve early detection of harmful patterns. In Fujairah, this community approach aligns with national efforts to keep prevention messages consistent across home, education, and public spaces.
How can parents monitor children’s social media use safely?
The council encouraged safe oversight of technology use, not blanket bans. Parents can set clear rules for screen time, discuss which apps are appropriate, and agree on what “private” means in a family context. The goal is to reduce exposure to harmful content and risky contacts while keeping children comfortable enough to report problems.
This is where Social Media Safety becomes part of prevention. Children can encounter drug promotion, coded language, or risky challenges online. Families can counter that by teaching children how to block and report suspicious accounts, and by keeping regular check-ins that focus on safety rather than punishment.
The council’s message targets families raising children and teenagers, so it does not apply in the same way to adults who make independent choices without parental supervision. It also does not replace the role of schools, healthcare professionals, or law enforcement. Instead, it explains what families can do first, at home, to reduce risk and support early intervention.
It is also not a call for intrusive surveillance. The emphasis stayed on safe, proportionate monitoring that respects a child’s age and maturity, and on building resilience through conversation and values.
Parents can start with one change this week: schedule a calm, regular family conversation about online habits and peer pressure, then agree on simple rules everyone understands. If something feels off, act early and seek trusted guidance. Prevention works best when families, schools, and community institutions move in the same direction, which is exactly what the National Anti-Drug Agency council aimed to reinforce during Ramadan in Fujairah.
