{"id":18790,"date":"2025-03-09T17:56:30","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T16:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=18790"},"modified":"2025-05-20T19:12:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T18:12:21","slug":"uae-ministry-warns-students-against-consuming-sedatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2025\/03\/uae-ministry-warns-students-against-consuming-sedatives\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE ministry warns students against consuming sedatives"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"oPYTv\">\n<p class=\"d-C--\"><strong>New Drug Prevention Guide issued to all schools to raise awareness about drug abuse<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"Ubcaz\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-div _48or4\"><strong>Abdulla Rasheed (Abu Dhabi Editor)\u00a0 Last updated:\u00a0<time datetime=\"March 03, 2025 | 08:01\">March 03, 2025<\/time><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"t557e\">\n<div class=\"jT9Gr\">\n<figure class=\"_0rL02 fG2dB\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"_4wuYh\">The Ministry of Interior has warned adolescents and young individuals of both genders against the dangers of consuming certain medications, including sedatives, that can lead to addiction and even death due to excessive, non-prescribed use.Supplied<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rlKNF\">\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Interior (MoI), in collaboration with the Drug Control Council and the National Drug Prevention Programme, has issued a Drug Prevention Guide, which has been distributed to all schools across the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Through the guide, the ministry has warned adolescents and young individuals of both genders against the dangers of consuming certain medications, including sedatives, that can lead to addiction and even death due to excessive, non-prescribed use.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<h2>What are sedatives?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Sedatives are medications designed to calm the patient and induce sleep by altering nerve signals in the central nervous system. They are commonly used to treat anxiety, stress, seizures, panic attacks, and sleep disorders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Sedatives must be used with extreme caution. Misuse or mixing them with substances like alcohol can result in severe health complications, potentially life-threatening. Overuse can inhibit critical nerve signals to the heart, lungs, and other organs, leading to dangerous side effects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Parents should be aware of the following indicators of sedative addiction:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_1\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_1_0__container__\">\u2022 Severe mood swings.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Unusual or aggressive behaviour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Lack of focus and attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_2\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_2_0__container__\">\u2022 Socially inappropriate actions.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Health issues such as memory loss, movement difficulties, and low blood pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>Myths debunked<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>The guide also cautions against widespread misconceptions among students, such as the belief that these medications can treat depression, relieve physical fatigue, boost energy levels, or enhance memory. The ministry has clarified that such beliefs are entirely false and misleading. It said individuals who consume these drugs without a medical prescription risk falling into the trap of addiction, which can ultimately lead to fatal consequences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_3\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_3_0__container__\">The guide provides corrective information about the misconceptions and offers guidance on drug prevention.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>The Ministry of Education has ensured its distribution to schools to assist parents in early detection of substance abuse, protect their children, and educate them on their role in safeguarding their kids from these harmful substances. It also raises legal awareness and provides details on how to access treatment and rehabilitation services within the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Additionally, the guide highlights seven key protective factors that can help prevent children from substance abuse. It warns against synthetic drugs disguised as dried leaves, which have devastating effects, as well as the misuse of prescription medications, which can lead to addiction and severe health complications, including death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_4\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_4_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<h2>Risks of drug abuse<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>The first chapter of the \u201cParents\u2019 Guide to Drug Prevention\u201d provides information on the various substances that children might be exposed to and details their health consequences. These include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Physical effects: Heart and blood pressure disorders, digestive system complications, severe weight loss, liver infections, immune system deficiencies, epilepsy, and sudden death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Psychological effects: Sleep disorders, delusions, hallucinations, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, emotional instability, and suicidal tendencies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_5\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_5_0__container__\">\u2022 Social effects: Family breakdown, increased crime and theft rates, and negative role models for children.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Economic effects: Reduced individual productivity and financial burdens associated with drug use and treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>The guide also covers different types of drugs, including inhalants, such as lighter gases, paint fumes, and glue, which are easily accessible but cause severe health risks, including brain and liver damage, limb numbness, headaches, nausea, hallucinations, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and allergic reactions around the nose and mouth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_6\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_6_0__container__\">Additionally, it warns against synthetic drugs, a combination of marijuana and chemicals marketed as dried leaves in plastic bags. These substances can cause poisoning, kidney damage, hallucinations, heart attacks, anxiety, depression, and even death.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<h2>Recognising signs of drug use<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>The guide outlines key indicators that can help identify drug abuse, such as:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Excessive talking and hyperactivity without a clear reason.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_7\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_7_0__container__\">\u2022 Memory loss and irrational thinking.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 Unusual jaw movements (circular or counter-directional).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u2022 High blood pressure, paranoia, and aggressive behavior.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_8\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_8_0__container__\">\u2022 Hallucinations, insomnia, and sleep disturbances.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>The guide also warns against addiction to certain prescription medications like:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Painkillers, which can cause respiratory depression, brain damage, and even death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_9\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_9_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Depressants, which may result in blurred vision, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and fatal consequences if combined with alcohol.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Stimulants, which can lead to high body temperature, paranoia, and other harmful effects when misused.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>Parents can detect prevent drug addiction among children in the following ways:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"-U-T1\">\n<div class=\"DX9hA\">\n<div class=\"L1aHm\">\n<div id=\"div-gulfnews_sections_article_1_10\" class=\"JR8SJ oOVST qA7u8\" data-google-query-id=\"\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/1019334\/GULFNEWS\/Gulfnews_Article\/gulfnews_sections_article\/gulfnews_sections_article_10_0__container__\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01. Awareness and education: Learning about the physical and behavioral indicators of substance use.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a02. Open dialogue: Engaging in calm discussions with children about concerns without making accusations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a03. Empathy and understanding: Being prepared for emotional reactions, such as anger or threats of leaving home, and responding with reassurance and support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a04. Being firm but loving: Setting clear household rules while expressing care and concern.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a05. Persistence: If discussions become overwhelming, parents should take a break and resume later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a06. Seeking professional guidance: If a child refuses to talk or get help, parents should consult treatment centers for advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"story-element story-element-text\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"Iqx1L\">\n<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a07.Consulting specialists: Parents should seek expert assistance to organise their thoughts and receive proper guidance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Source: https:\/\/gulfnews.com\/uae\/government\/uae-ministry-warns-students-against-consuming-sedatives-1.500050438<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Drug Prevention Guide issued to all schools to raise awareness about drug abuse Abdulla Rasheed (Abu Dhabi Editor)\u00a0 Last updated:\u00a0March 03, 2025 The Ministry of Interior has warned adolescents and young individuals of both genders against the dangers of consuming certain medications, including sedatives, that can lead to addiction and even death due to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,68,62,20,40,61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-addiction","category-drug-use-various-effects","category-education","category-others","category-prevention-research","category-youth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18790\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}