Mission to the Kingdom of Bahrain
An INCB mission visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from 7 to 10 December 2014. The mission was led by Dr. Sri Suryawati, member of the Board, accompanied by Mr. Nodirjon Ibragimov, the INCB Secretariat. The purpose of the mission was to discuss issues related to the country's implementation of the three international drug control conventions, to which it is party. This was the first mission of the Board to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The mission held discussions with the Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Attorney General, the Southern Governor, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Regulatory Authority, Chief of Supreme Council for Environment as well as senior officials of the Public Security Directorate, Customs Affairs, General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Science (including its Anti-Narcotics Department and Directorate on Forensic Science), Financial Intelligence Unit, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Health (Pharmacy and Drug Control Department as well as Communicable Diseases Group), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Psychiatric Hospital.
The mission also visited the General Organisation for Youth and Sports, which supports the Bahraini youth through skills training and strengthening of the relevant Government policies. In addition, the mission visited the Southern Governorate to discuss the Anti-Violence and Addiction Programme, implemented in the country to raise awareness among children and adolescents about the dangers of drug abuse.
The issues addressed during the mission focused on efforts of the Government in addressing drug abuse and trafficking, the Government's cooperation with INCB, and measures taken by the Government to control narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. The mission also discussed the availability of controlled substances for medical needs, policies to reduce illicit demand for drugs and to treat and rehabilitate drug users.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 112 th session to be held in February 2015, and results will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.
