Khaberni - Mohammad Aldaij, the head of the drug law drafting committee in Kuwait, confirmed that the Ministry of Education has responded to the committee's request and other relevant bodies to include in the academic curriculum a mandatory subject about drugs and psychoactive substances for middle school, starting from the next academic year, to enhance awareness and protect students from the devastating scourge of drugs.
Aldaij stated: Kuwait will be the first Arab country to include in its curriculum a mandatory academic subject on crimes in a unique and pioneering step. These crimes include “drugs, violence, theft, bullying, cybercrime, traffic, and sexual crimes,” according to Al Qabas.
He added: “I have met with the Minister of Education, Jalal Al-Tabtabai, and explained to him the importance of adding educational content to protect students from drugs. I received significant engagement from him in this regard, and I also provided him with the required curriculum and the crimes that should be taught.”
He explained that a teenager knows these crimes are wrong but does not know what would actually happen if they engaged in any of them.
He noted that the Ministry of Education gives priority to educating and guiding youth after many families have lost their educational role in this matter, for several reasons:
1 - Changes in family structure:
Parents occupied with work.
Excessive reliance on servants or gadgets.
Lack of daily dialogue inside the home.
While surveillance exists, guidance is absent.
2 - Many parents:
Are unaware of the nature of modern drugs.
Do not understand the digital culture of teenagers.
Are embarrassed by sensitive discussions.
Thus, teenagers are left to learn from: friends, the Internet, and direct experience (which is the most dangerous).
Aldaij reaffirmed that incorporating educational content about the dangers of drugs into the curriculum is a pioneering step that will greatly contribute to crime prevention among youth and in reducing their spread.
He explained that the modern curricula will not only warn, but will teach students:
How to say no without losing friends.
How to deal with peer pressure.
How to escape from dangerous situations.
When to seek help without fear.
He further added: The importance of drugs awareness in the curriculum is that, in some environments, criminals are perceived as strong, daring, or smart in deception, but the correct education reveals the real side: addiction, family breakdown, imprisonment, and mental illness.
Aldaij urged private sector schools to follow the government educational approach and emulate the Ministry of Education in this path..
Countries that Have Included Drugs in Educational Curricula
France
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
Germany
Japan
