The Ministry of Interior concluded the Drug Prevention Forum 2025 on Sunday, which was organized in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Council and the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters. The event took place under the slogan “A Conscious Family, A Safe Community” on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, attracting a large number of participants from various community segments, particularly the youth and parents.

The forum, which started on June 19 and lasted for 11 days, featured renowned specialists and experts from various governmental and private sectors. These professionals possessed extensive experience in fields related to prevention and mental health, alongside religious scholars, national service recruits, university students, and social media influencers.

Over the course of the event, 320 discussion sessions were organized, focusing on community prevention issues and family cohesion. Additionally, there were 920 advisory sessions covering psychological, social, and familial topics provided by specialists in mental health and family support. The forum also produced 33 educational podcast episodes and issued 8,800 participation certificates.

Innovative programs and interactive activities were highlights of the forum, including the Drug Prevention Council, Future Leaders Council, and various advisory sessions. The discussions emphasized the importance of effective family communication, decision-making skills, and the promotion of preventive behavior, while underscoring the influence of social environments on individual behavior.

The Drug Prevention Forum served as a comprehensive national platform that brought together various governmental entities and community institutions. It showcased several national initiatives, such as the “Mokafih” platform launched by the Ministry of Interior, aimed at raising public awareness about the risks and harms of drug use, early detection of addiction, and reporting drug-related crimes through the free hotline 80044.

Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters participated with the “Opportunity of Hope” platform, which allows individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment while fully maintaining their privacy and confidentiality. This initiative also provides them with immunity from prosecution, helping them recover and reintegrate into society as productive individuals.

The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi presented the “Halfway Houses” concept as a comprehensive model for supporting recovering addicts and facilitating their reintegration into the community.

The forum included active participation from the Emirates Media Council, Cybersecurity Council, Public Prosecution, and police leadership across the state, along with the National Rehabilitation Center and the Family Development Foundation. These entities contributed to discussions on prevention, rehabilitation, and raising community awareness.

Moreover, the event featured police dog demonstrations, musical performances by the Abu Dhabi Police military band, and various interactive competitions. Visitors also had the chance to experience virtual reality simulations and artificial intelligence technologies that depicted the realities of drug use and highlighted the associated physical and behavioral indicators.