Sana'a: Acting Prime Minister Mohammed Miftah emphasized the severe threat posed by drug abuse, describing it as one of the most dangerous scourges affecting societies globally.
According to Yemen News Agency, Miftah delivered a speech during a central event organized by the Ministry of Interior to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The event, held under the theme "America, the Mother of Drugs," highlighted the devastating impact of drug abuse on individuals and families, including crimes committed by addicts against their family members. Miftah accused major intelligence agencies, especially American and Israeli, of backing the drug trade to weaken societies and youth, facilitating control and manipulation.
Miftah stated that the enemies primarily target young people, making them easier to control and exploit, thus ensuring their continued employment for a long period. He affirmed that the government of change and reconstruction will strive to review laws to close loopholes that sometimes allow criminals to circumvent the law and manipulate cases.
He also addressed the heroic stance of the Yemeni people in confronting the American and Zionist system of crime and corruption, explaining that this honorable position has placed Yemen in the crosshairs of their hatred and made it a target for various forms of economic, media, propaganda, and disinformation warfare, including the insidious recruitment of young people through various means, including drugs.
Mohammed Miftah emphasized that the government is dealing firmly with the criminal network that trades and promotes drugs, praising the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in combating drugs and the sacrifices of martyrs and wounded in its direct confrontation with drug traffickers.
He added, "Yemen, represented by its capital Sana'a, is confronting the trade in this scourge with religious and moral commitment and will not allow Yemen to become a transit point for drugs. We say to the Saudi regime, which falsely accuses us and others, that the published facts clearly demonstrate the involvement of many of its princes in this type of criminal activity, specifically in Afghanistan."
The acting prime minister officially accused the Saudi regime of being part of the Zionist-American system working to spread drugs in Yemen in general, and in the occupied governorates and regions in particular.
He held the Saudi regime primarily responsible for the victims of drugs and methamphetamine, as well as the victims of crimes committed by users of this scourge. He called on all active official and community organizations, especially relevant authorities, those involved in awareness and guidance, media professionals, and intellectuals, to join forces and stand united to confront the scourge of drugs, raise awareness of its harms and dangers, and address all negative phenomena that harm society and public order.
Miftah stated that the government, in coordination with the Parliament and the Shura Council, will draft a bill to combat online extortion, particularly on social media, to address this insidious form of blackmail that victimizes many members of society.
He concluded by praising the efforts of the Ministry of Interior leadership and its collaborating agencies in combating this scourge and the positive results achieved in this regard.
At the event, which was attended by the Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. Ali Shaiban, and the Deputy Minister of Information, Dr. Omar Al-Bakhiti, the Deputy Minister of Interior, Major General Abdulmajid Al-Murtada, called upon all free citizens of Yemen to play an active role in combating drug crimes.
He emphasized the importance of denying perpetrators of these crimes any social support or protection, noting that criminals engage in these activities in an attempt to gain public sympathy by deceiving people with acts of charity, almsgiving, and charitable initiatives. This leads some to believe they are benevolent individuals, while in reality, they are malevolent figures who contribute to the destruction of society and the undermining of its security and stability.
He said, "The nation's economy cannot be built on such crimes, nor can a strong state or a free and independent people be established through such acts." He pointed out that these individuals target society, particularly the youth, exploiting some weak-willed people who do not question the sources of these individuals' wealth or how they acquired it.
The Deputy Minister of the Interior stressed the necessity of depriving criminals of any social immunity that would enable them to continue their criminal activities. He commended the role played by the noble tribes of Yemen and their serious and positive action through the declaration of the Charter of Honor, which included disavowing those involved in these crimes.
He considered boycotting those who commit these crimes an effective factor in reducing their occurrence, as it isolates criminals and deprives them of any social support, shelter, or assistance, thus contributing significantly to combating them.
Major General Al-Murtada reiterated his call to the tribes among whom this phenomenon has begun to spread to take a similar stance and declare a boycott of those involved, based on their religious and national responsibility and in pursuit of Allah's pleasure.
He expressed his appreciation for those leading the efforts to combat these crimes, praising their sacrifices and the tireless efforts of security personnel working day and night, including the injuries some sustain while pursuing criminals.
The event, attended by Acting Head of the Tax and Customs Authority, Dr. Ibrahim Mahdi; Head of the Coast Guard, Major General Shaher Al-Qahoum; Head of the Civil Status Authority, Brigadier General Hussein Aziz; Director of the Anti-Narcotics Department at the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Akram Amer; Director General of Criminal Evidence, Brigadier General Hussein Al-Makhdhi; and other leaders from the Ministry of Interior, included the presentation of awareness videos on the dangers of drugs and the achievements of the General Directorate for Combating Narcotics at the Ministry of Interior.