A decade ago, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Zedjali decided to change drug addicts’ lives both within and outside the Sultanate through awareness and voluntary campaigns. This extraordinary Omani citizen is currently
conducting lectures in private sector organisations, and taking his crusade to schools, colleges and universities. His latest
successful campaign, undertaken in cooperation with Oman Mobile, was titled, ‘We Are Healthy Without Drugs’. In the campaign, he came up with a million copies of Hayyak cards with quotes and pictures of
famous Omanis. Mohammed Al Zedjali shares his experiences with Times of Oman.



What is the secret behind calling yourself a drug
addiction fighter?

It’s been over 10 years since I started creating awareness on drugs to serve the community. I feel that I am really addicted to helping society. Some of my friends were addicted to drugs. Yet, I preferred to attach myself to something positive, by
fighting drugs and not being an addict myself. I try to advise people about the risks involved in drug abuse. All my campaigns are done in two languages — Arabic and English — so that the message reaches the maximum number of people.



What were the factors that put you on this mission?

My brothers and some of my friends entered the vicious world of drugs. My brothers have overcome it, but drugs claimed most of my childhood friends. I am trying to rescue the youths here, as well as in other countries, from the clutches of drugs.

When did you start?

I started in 1998, with a tour around the Gulf, wherein I took part in a number of radio and TV programmes. I visited all the GCC countries except Kuwait, because of the
political situation prevailing at that point of time. I am
planning to visit Kuwait soon. My latest work involved Hayyak cards, which carried pictures of eminent Omani personalities and celebrities. I want to send my message across through art. The cards are available from RO1.5 and so everyone can acquire them. In fact, these cards might be a way to rescue those addicts, and spread awareness.



How have Omanis cooperated? Did you face any opposition?

Omani society has been very aware and understanding. Not only Omanis, but expatriates too, are giving me enough support. The most precious support I get is from my wife and family. I suppose this is the most vital source of sustenance after God, and then comes the role of society. Nobody was against my undertaking. I am presenting a clear picture of the drug scene, backed
by facts. If I were to do it in
any other way, they would have the right to oppose my
voluntary work.

How do the addicts or their families reach you?

In my 10 years of experience, I have realised that drug addicts often wait for someone to share their problems with, someone who will listen patiently and help. More often than not, the addicts’ families contact me. The addicts themselves fear for their security, which is a wrong perspective, really. The security girdle has not been put in place to harm the addicts, but to assist them. So, addicts prefer to come to me, as they know that I do not belong to any security sector. They know that it is just voluntary work, and they respect it.



How do you define addiction? How can we understand that a person has reached the level of addiction?

The symptoms are easily recognisable. When a person becomes a prisoner to the poison, he or she is not able to move or breathe without drugs. Everything becomes unstable. They just keep sinking into the mire. They become sick physically and psychologically.



What are the steps you take to help an addict?

First of all, I create trust in them. I treat them like patients and not murderers. I make them realise that I am always there by their side and never against them. When there is that kind of communication between the addicts and me, they grow comfortable, express their feelings and share their experiences. Helping an addict does not require money. It’s more about speaking gently and greeting them. If we treat addicts like criminals, they will only withdraw into themselves and eventually die.



What is the first question an addict asks you, and vice-versa?

The first question the addicts ask me is, ‘Are you from security?’ Once they know that I am not, they begin to trust me. I tell them that my brothers used to be addicts too, and that I lost many of my friends to drugs, and that strengthens the bond.
On the other hand, the first question I ask an addict, is whether he really wants to recover. Some addicts come to me just to return a favour to their families.



Which age group is the most
susceptible?

The worst situation I have ever seen is of kids aged 12 and 13 taking drugs. That means they are still in school, and will probably be addicts once they reach the age of 20. Unfortunately, even women are being drawn into the drug net. It is not a substantial number yet, but it is increasing. Personally, I know four of them — married as well as single girls — who are under the age of 25. They came to seek my help. Some of them were introduced to the poison by their friends or partners who traded in drugs. Here, I must mention the adverse role that television is playing — this kind of media is brainwashing our girls.



Do you face any difficulty while dealing with addicts?

Not at all. People ask me if I am scared to interact with them, and my answer is, no. The only problem I face, is that since I work alone, I cannot reach everyone who is in need of help. So, I always wanted to form an association. After nine years, that association will finally see light of day, under the name of Al Hayaa (The Life Association). I am waiting for the formal approval from the Ministry of Social Development. All thanks go to Dr Sharifa Khalfan Al Yahyai, minister of social development, who helped me accomplish the project. The association will be like a secure shelter for addicts. Now, I can only meet the addicts in public places like cafés.



What about success stories?

Around 98 per cent of the cases had setbacks. Even those addicts who were sent to a hospital in Saudi Arabia for treatment, went back to drugs once they returned home. There is a reason behind this — once they return to the same environment, home and friends, drugs become irresistible, as they are available. Then, the whole process of treatment starts again.
That is why the psychological treatment is far more difficult than the physical recovery. Most of the addicts that I was taking care of, have passed away, but this will not hinder my efforts. Nor will it weaken my determination to fight back. Even if only a few addicts
benefit from this, it will serve my purpose. Something is better than nothing.



Tell us about the most
complicated case you faced...

While all cases are difficult in their own way, the toughest moment for me is to come to terms with the loss of a life because of drugs. It pains me to see a mother’s tears when her son has been engulfed by the poison of drugs. Even while the addict is alive, the mother suffers more than he does. When an addict finally breathes his last, in a way, it comforts the family, because to see that kind of suffering is a far greater
torment.



Your message to the public...

Each parent should take care of his or her children, and not underestimate the corruptive power of drugs. By the time people discover that their son, daughter, husband or sister is an addict, time is already lost. Today, drugs are entering every home. We have to help the addicts and not leave them forlorn.