TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA THE Permanent Committee for Drug and Alcohol Affairs (PCDAA) of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has announced the winners of its annual Weqaya (prevention) research contest.

According to a MoI press release issued recently, the contest was organised under the patronage of the Director General of Public Security and Head of PCDAA Major General Saad bin Jassim al Khulaifi as part of the national strategy for combating drugs and creating awareness about its risks and perils.

The committee selected ten winners from the 74 research works it received. Two students, Jassim Abdul Rahman al Saadi and Nasser Mohammed Nasser al Faqeeh, from Khalifa Secondary School, won the first prize.

The other winners are Mohammed Ibrahim Basyooni from Al Shamal Secondary School (second), Maha Mohammed from Umm Hakim Secondary School (third), Mohammed Ahmed Abu Gazala from Abdulla bin Ali Al Misnad School (fourth), Ahmed Main al Atr from Ahmed bin Hambal Secondary School (fifth).

Yazin Nabil Hanawi from Tariq bin Ziyad Secondary School (sixth), Suaad Hussain Yasin Umm Ayman Secondary School (seventh), Mustafa Mahmoud Al- Naqeeb Abdullah bin Ali Al Misnad School (eighth), Hala Ahmed Abdullah al Karbi from Al Silia Secondary School (ninth) and Mohammed Shoukath Ali Shaheen from Doha Modern Secondary School (tenth).

The ceremony was attended by the Director of Police Training Institute Brigadier Dr Mohammed Abdullah al Mahanna al Marri, Qatar University Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr Shaikha bint Jabr al Thani, the PCDAA Secretary Major Ibrahim Mohammed al Sameeh and other dignitaries.

Brig Dr Al Mahanna al Marri said that the research contest has actively contributed in achieving positive results by reaching out to the students’ community to create awareness on risks and perils of drug abuse. He added that the results would encourage the committee to do more in protecting the society from the evil of drugs.

Major Ibrahim Mohammed al Sameeh thanked the organisations that actively supported the cause, especially Qatar University and Supreme Education Council.

On her part, Dr Sheikha bint Jabr al Thani applauded the efforts of the Permanent Committee in raising awareness among the youth on risks and dangers of drug abuse.

She added that the research contest would boost the morale of the students to be partners in this effort.

The research contest is organised annually with the first ten prize winners carting away cash awards ranging from QR10,000 for the first prize and QR1000 for the tenth prize winner.