KUWAIT CITY, June 25: The Ministry of Health (MoH) wrapped up on Wednesday a month-long awareness campaign aimed at combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The campaign, launched on June 12 in collaboration with the Kuwait Center for Addiction Treatment and several other organizations, sought to educate young people and adolescents on the dangers of addiction.

Dr. Abeer Al-Bahou, Director of the Health Promotion Department at the MoH, told reporters that the campaign carried the slogan, “The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention to break the cycle.” She explained that the initiative included a variety of awareness activities addressing a problem that threatens millions globally and demands urgent action.

As part of the campaign, a questionnaire was conducted to gauge adult awareness and knowledge of drug addiction in Kuwait. The survey, completed by 482 randomly selected individuals via social media, revealed that around 55 percent of participants recognize drug addiction as a chronic, treatable disease affecting brain function and behavior, leading to loss of control over drug use.

Dr. Al-Bahou highlighted that approximately 60 percent of respondents identified familial and environmental factors as primary causes of addiction, including negative role models, bad friendships, idleness, unsupervised travel abroad, weak religious restraint, personality disorders, and curiosity.

The survey also showed that over 56 percent of participants associated symptoms of drug addiction with deceit, lying, stealing, neglect of personal hygiene and appearance, emotional instability, and withdrawal symptoms during attempts to quit drugs. More than 60 percent cited psychological effects such as urgent drug cravings, depression, memory loss, and severe mental disorders including hallucinations and delusions.

In terms of health consequences, over 71 percent recognized complications such as viral hepatitis, AIDS, miscarriage, and fetal deformities linked to drug abuse. When asked about preventive measures, more than 64 percent stressed the importance of family support, parental supervision, school involvement, and raising awareness about the harm drugs cause to individuals, families, and society.

Dr. Al-Bahou affirmed the positive response to the survey, noting that most participants demonstrated good knowledge of combating drug addiction.

Echoing the importance of such campaigns, Adnan Al-Othman, Executive Director of Al-Othman Real Estate Portfolio, emphasized that awareness initiatives play a critical role in addressing the dangers of drug use, especially among youth. He described these campaigns as a vital protective shield against the spread of this social scourge.

Al-Othman underscored the value of strategic partnerships with authorities to enhance community education about the various types of drugs, their dangers, and ways to fight addiction. The goal is to inform and protect visitors—especially young people and parents—from the destructive effects of drugs and how these substances infiltrate society.

He also highlighted that this campaign is part of the vision of Thalth Al-Mahmoum Abdullah Al-Othman, who oversees, through Al-Othman Real Estate Portfolio and Dar Al-Othman, several community initiatives aimed at raising awareness across health, sports, social, and cultural fields.

Al-Othman pointed out that these efforts reflect a firm commitment to supporting the community and improving quality of life through sustainable charitable projects, establishing a pioneering model in social responsibility.