Anti-drug fund launches initiative to raise awareness of Egyptian drivers

CAIRO – 5 September 2018: Anti-drug and treatment of addiction fund, chaired by Ghada Wali, the minister of social solidarity, launched a new initiative in different governorates called “Have a Safe Trip” to raise the drivers’ awareness about the harms of drug-use.

The initiative targets about 5,000 drivers in public stations, said the associate minister of social solidarity and the fund’s manager, Amr Othman, in his statement on Tuesday.

The initiative also aims to highlight the services offered by the fund’s hotline, 16032, which include providing free treatment of addiction in absolute secrecy, offering treatment advice and following up with cases undergoing the treatment process.

Moreover, the hotline provides counseling for families about early detection of addiction and dealing with an addict family member. “Drugs enhance memory strength”, “drugs make you worry less” and “drugs enhance your concentration and make you stay awake for two shifts” are myths about drugs that the hotline aims to correct for the groups more likely to use drugs.

The initiative was well received by drivers as they were keen to know more about the places offering treatment and the hotline number, 16032. The fund’s volunteers distributed publications that include ways of protection from drug-use, drug-use’s negative effects and the services offered by the hotline.

This coincides with the fund’s continuous execution of initiatives, including “Don’t Try” initiative which targets raising the awareness of vacationers and their families on beaches and in coastal governorates.