Queen calls for raising awareness on dangers of drug use

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Tuesday highlighted the importance of raising health awareness on a range of issues, including the dangers of drug use, while chairing the Royal Health Awareness Society’s (RHAS) board of trustees meeting. 

The meeting reviewed the role RHAS’ plays in promoting healthy practices among Jordanian families, and its plans for future improvement, according to a statement from the Queen's office.

The board members discussed a recent report that indicated a spike in drug use and addiction in both public and private schools, and called for an urgent awareness campaign to curb this trend.

Her Majesty commended RHAS’ various projects, which have promoted healthier practices among local communities across the Kingdom, and noted that she has directly witnessed evidence of their positive influence during her visits to various organisations benefiting from the society’s programmes.

Vice Chairman Rami Farraj assured Her Majesty that RHAS remains committed to including a larger number of beneficiaries in its newly established programmes, and reinforcing its partnerships with specialised organisations. 

RHAS Director Hanin Odeh briefed the board members on the work that has been done to improve overall health practices in schools and local communities.

Odeh explained that RHAS’ achievements last year were fulfilled in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the private sector, as well as local and international organisations. 

She added that RHAS will continue to implement projects that focus on schools, youths and community.

The briefing also included information on the development of the society’s existing programmes. 

Most recently, RHAS has expanded the Healthy Kitchen project, which has taken a holistic approach to engaging with local communities and organisations, the statement said. 

The programme provides healthy meals, information on health and nutrition, and invests in local suppliers for raw material and equipment. 

It has been implemented at 57 public schools in poverty pockets, raising the number of its beneficiaries to more than 10,300 students and providing jobs to up to 85 local residents in each of the governorates of Madaba, Irbid, Zarqa, Mafraq and Ajloun.

In addition to the Healthy Kitchen project, RHAS has also worked to develop Think First, Healthy Schools, and Healthy Community Clinic programmes. 

The Healthy Schools programme has added 58 additional schools to its net totalling 375 schools, and has reached 176,300 students and trained 1,165 principals and teachers.

The Think First initiative has helped over 100,000 students and 150,000 teachers in 159 schools, as well as 927 volunteers actively engage in healthier practices.

The Healthy Community Clinic programme was tailored to cater to both Jordanians and Syrian refugees across the Kingdom. 

Among the other significant accomplishments of the society was the creation of a bilingual smartphone app that delivers health-related messages and information to millions across Jordan.

RHAS was established in 2005 under the directives of Her Majesty Queen Rania to encourage and disseminate healthy practices across the Kingdom and implement initiatives and programmes in preventative care.