CAIRO: The Egyptian government has launched a new campaign aimed at educating beachgoers about the perils of taking drugs.
The target audience includes vacationers on the beaches and in the cities of coastal provinces and their families, said Dr. Amr Othman, assistant minister of social solidarity.
Othman said that the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, headed by Dr. Nevin Al-Kabbaj, had raised awareness of the harmful effects of drug abuse.
Othman, who is a director of the fund, added that the campaign formed part of a series of activities organized to observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is commemorated globally in June.
Action is due to begin next week on the beaches and in the cities of Matrouh, Alexandria, Port Said, and Damietta governorates, and will continue throughout the summer.
The aim is to educate visitors on the perils of drug abuse by distributing literature about its dangers, while correcting common misconceptions.
Egyptian authorities are keen to take action against the use of drugs to save young people from the clutches of addiction.
Any treatment services for addicts will be provided free of charge and with complete confidentiality.
Othman added that the awareness activities had been supported by vacationers and their families, with young people in particular showing strong interaction with the process.
The awareness drive is being complemented by services provided by the fund’s hotline.
