Community initiative launched to raise awareness on drug abuse

Observer

21 hours ago

Muscat: As part of a national community initiative to raise awareness about drug abuse and its dangers, the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali launched the 'Jabel Omrak' campaign under the auspices of Mohammed bin Humaid al Ghabshi, Wali of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali. The launch event was attended by members of the local health committee, officials and those active in public health and youth outreach efforts.
The campaign comes as the wilayat's official entry in the nationwide community competition organised by the Ministry of Health, represented by the National Committee for Drug and Psychotropic Substance Prevention. The initiative seeks to engage all segments of society in tackling the growing challenges of drug abuse through awareness, education and collaboration.
Al Ghabshi stressed the importance of collective responsibility in protecting the community. 'Preventing drug abuse is not the duty of institutions alone — it requires the active participation of families, educators, civil society and young people themselves,' he said. He commended the campaign's organisers for their commitment and emphasised the critical role of grassroots engagement in building a healthier society.
The campaign's central goal is to foster a sustainable culture of awareness about the dangers of drug use. It also seeks to promote individual and collective responsibility, empower youth to make informed choices and build strong partnerships with government agencies, schools, healthcare institutions and civil society organisations.
By encouraging early prevention and dialogue, 'Jabel 'Omrak' aspires to reduce the stigma around discussing addiction and mental health, while providing young people with the tools and support needed to make positive life decisions.
The campaign will roll out a series of educational and interactive activities over the coming weeks. These will include lectures in schools and colleges, training workshops, public forums with addiction specialists and awareness campaigns across various platforms. Youth-centred events such as competitions, art showcases and theatre performances will also be organised to communicate preventive messages in engaging ways.
The organising committee emphasised that the campaign will target a wide audience, with special focus on youth, students and vulnerable groups. A multi-platform strategy — combining face-to-face activities with digital outreach — will help expand the campaign's reach and accessibility.