Social media can play a key role in battle against drug abuse, forum told

Governments need to tap social media influencers to help play raise awareness about the dangers of drugs. (SPA file photo)
Updated 20 September 2018
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Social media can play a key role in battle against drug abuse, forum told

JEDDAH: The role of social media influencers in helping to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs was highlighted during a forum organized by the women’s supervision division of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in Riyadh.

Titled “The Determination of a Nation,” the event, at the National Center for Measurement and Evaluation in Higher Education, was part of a program to support the UN’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Attended by a number of social-media celebrities and followers, the event was accompanied by an awareness exhibition featuring drug samples and smuggling tools.

Women’s supervision director Mona Al-Sherbini said: “The issue of drugs, its size, the ways to address it and the fact that it targets the young generation pushed us to give it more attention and care. These efforts will not work unless all concerned parties stick together and stop this issue from spreading in our society. This made it our responsibility, along with social media influencers, to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.” 

The forum also included a screening of a documentary that explores the efforts of those involved in the fight against drugs, ways to deal with addicts, the role families play in the recovery process, cybercrimes, mental toughness, and treatment methods.

 

 


Hellenic parliament official in Athens praises Kingdom’s regional, global role

Updated 7 sec ago
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Hellenic parliament official in Athens praises Kingdom’s regional, global role

  • Meeting with Shoura Council’s vice speaker focuses on strengthening parliamentary, economic ties
  • Ioannis Plakiotakis said that Saudi Arabia was a leading nation with a prominent position in the region and the world

RIYADH: Mishaal Al-Sulami, the vice speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, has met Ioannis Plakiotakis, the first vice president of Greece’s Hellenic Parliament, in Athens.

The meeting took place during Al-Sulami's official visit to Greece and following an invitation from Plakiotakis, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The parties focused on the historic ties between Saudi Arabia and Greece, the SPA added.

Plakiotakis said the countries’ bilateral relations had evolved into a strategic partnership, particularly at parliamentary level, supported by growing political and economic cooperation.

He highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening the ties between the two countries and in supporting each other at all levels.

Plakiotakis added that Saudi Arabia was a leading nation with a prominent position in the region and the world, alongside its significant developments across various fields, and expressed his desire to continue developing and strengthening bilateral relations.

Al-Sulami spoke of this year’s centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Greece, and the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council. The first meeting of the council took place in AlUla last January and was co-chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, reflecting shared long-term interests.

Al-Sulami said that the Shoura Council valued strengthening relations with the Hellenic Parliament and stressed the need to activate parliamentary diplomacy, including reciprocal visits and parliamentary friendship committees.

The meeting concluded with discussions on issues of common interest, particularly parliamentary affairs. Both sides expressed hope for continued progress in bilateral relations and sustained constructive dialogue.

Saudi Ambassador to Greece Ali Al-Yousef and other Shoura Council members also attended the meeting.