Bahrain is significantly stepping up its fight against drug traffickers, said a top government official, adding that legislations that ban growing, trading in and using narcotics have been signed by the kingdom.

"We are tracking down dealers, and Bahrain is now one of the leading countries successfully battling addiction. A new maritime e-border will reinforce efforts," Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was quoted as saying in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

He was speaking yesterday marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

"Drug abuse promotes crimes, limits the potential of the youth and makes them create hurdles instead of becoming nation builders," he said.

"The ministry, through the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, works round-the-clock to fight those who try to bring drugs into the country.

"We have developed and modernised technology to bar the entry of drugs through Bahrain's borders. The directorate has succeeded in foiling many drug-smuggling attempts through sea, land and air."

Twelve directorate personnel have taken part in conferences and forums abroad to improve their expertise and experiences and 13 officers have been sent for training to 12 countries.

The quantity of drugs seized went up to 315.50kg last year, compared to 227.96kg in 2011. This resulted in a decline in the number of drug-related deaths to seven last year compared to 26 in 2011.

Awareness programmes have also been launched, especially "Together in Fighting Addiction" which is run by the Southern Governorate and targets schools. It covers 50,000 students at various education levels. – TradeArabia News Service