President of Umm Al-Qura University Dr. Bakri bin M'atooq bin Bakri Assas applauded the efforts exerted by the Secretariat-General of the National Commission for Narcotic Control represented by the National Project of Nebras in fighting such virulent scourge thus reflecting the keenness of our wise government led by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz and the Crown Prince in fighting narcotics and protecting the sons and daughters of this blessed country from its defilements. He underlined that some international circles are waging narcotics war against us targeting our nation the cradle of Islam. " We have to be mindful that we are targeted by a fierce war to destroy our youth  and our national cohesion, so we have to unify our ranks in the face of this  serious illness", he said, adding that proceeding from our national responsibility we have to contribute to these efforts through the National Project of "Nebras" to protect our youth particularly the young boys, the project which is currently being adopted by the Family and Children Program of Nebras. "We have to coordinate and unify our efforts to reach the desired goal", he expounded.    

Further, Dr. Assas said the university puts all capabilities and expertise of its research centers  represented by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, College of Community Service and the Medical Colleges to take advantage of its leading role for the success of the National project of Nebras and to help the project achieving its desired and noble goals.  

He went on to add that the university has been working for a long time in fighting this serious scourge by organizing several workshops and exhibitions, however the work with Nebras comes within a clear methodology and vision based on quality standards which will ensure  success of all our future programs. He then prayed Allah  to have mercy upon the martyrs of  duty who sacrificed their lives to serve their religion and nation. 

This came while he was opening on Monday Rabi Al-Awal 9, 1439 H the awareness forum of prevention in the higher education environments organized by Umm Al-Qura University in collaboration with the National Committee for Narcotics Control (NCNC)  at King Abdul-Aziz Historical hall in Abdyia in the presence of the Secretary-General of the National Commission for Narcotic Control, the Assistant Director General of  Narcotics Control for Preventive Affairs who serves also as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nebras Project Mr. Abdulelah bin Mohammed Al-Sharif,  number of security and government leaderships in the region besides the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan Al-Harbi, the Deans of the Colleges, faculty members and the university affiliates.   
  

For his part, the Secretary-General of the National Commission for Narcotic Control Mr. Al-Sharif said the Kingdom is currently facing a fierce war of narcotics cartels led by the evil entities in the region who are trying to undermine our faith, religion and the minds of our youth so as for them to becoming only ghosts without determination our vision.  He added the Kingdom also shoulders the responsibility of protecting its sons who are targeted by drug mafia to get rid of their minds and consciousness and all its security and custom  organs are saving no efforts to combat this serious scourge.  Such large security efforts are moving in the same direction with the awareness and preventive efforts set to boosting awareness of everyone in this regards particularly the youth category.  

He added that Umm Al-Qura University is one of the edifices of science and knowledge which is taking the responsibility of disseminating science and awareness in our country. It's also  one of the major supporters of the National Project of Nebras  designed to combat drugs scourge. In this regard, he said there is scientific and technical cooperation between us to make the National Project of Nebras a success.  

Further, he added that Umm Al-Qura has appreciated efforts in this regard, expressing his thanks and gratitude to the UQU President and the university affiliates in recognition for all their effort in instilling science and spreading values and awareness to fighting narcotics and setting and evaluating preventive programs intended to protecting our male and female students from the defilements of drugs.   

All the more, he stressed that since its inception, the National Project of Nebras has made many successes, currently we are working with our partners led by the educational institutions to activate the project programs and implement future plans approved by the project to boost workers skills and capacity, such things couldn't be achieved thanks to Allah in the first place and then to the boundless support provided by our wise government led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud and HRH the Crown, Minister of Defense Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

In turn, the UQU Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Thamir bin Hamdan Al-Harbi said the university will embark on setting scientific research and studies for narcotic control and prevention besides contributing to the project and setting the preventive, training, awareness programs and plans which will contribute to community awareness particularly university students and educate them about the dangerous harms of this scourge.    

It's worth mentioning here that the forum was accompanied by an awareness exhibition to identify and raise awareness of people about the scourge of drugs.