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28 March 2024

Drugs-related deaths among 'non-addicts' rise

There are smart addicts who try to mislead medics and examiners by alternating between two drugs or even mixing them. (AGENCY)

Published
By Mohammed Al Sadafy

Number of deaths resulting from use of drugs has increased in recent years, according to Dubai Police.

Surprisingly, casualties are not only among drug addicts but also among ignorant laymen who consume an overdose of various over-the-counter painkillers.

Huda Saeed Suleiman, Head of Toxins Department, General Directorate of Criminal Evidence and Criminology, Dubai Police, said some people take medicines to obtain the desired euphoria, yet others take them to relieve pain. In either case, an overdose can prove fatal, she added.

There are smart addicts who try to mislead medics and examiners by alternating between two drugs or even mixing them. But no manipulation has so far gone unnoticed by the Criminal Evidence Department, Huda added.

Addicts or suspected people are put through various tests to ascertain the kind of substance they consume. Anti-Narcotics Department then take the necessary action, according to Huda.

Cautioning youngsters, Huda said, many believe one-time use of drugs is no harm and they do it just for fun. Little do they realise that after the first time, the temptation is too hard to resist and it soon turns into an addiction.