Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 13 October 2025: The National Rehabilitation Center has concluded the fourth edition of its teachers’ training program, aimed at enabling educators to detect early behaviors and indicators associated with substance use and to recognize signs of addiction among users. The program was organized in coordination with the Ministry of Education and witnessed the participation of more than 60 teachers from schools across the UAE.
The program saw strong engagement from participating teachers and included various awareness lectures and specialized workshops on substance use, its causes, and indicators, as well as methods of prevention within schools. It also emphasized the important role of both family and school in monitoring students, ensuring they are not vulnerable to addiction. Additionally, this program enhanced participants’ knowledge of health and legal risks related to substance use.
On this occasion, Yousef Altheeb Alketbi, CEO of the National Rehabilitation Center, said: “I am pleased to witness the success of the fourth edition of the teachers’ training program, which reflects the efforts exerted in partnership with the Ministry of Education. This program contributes to empowering teachers to effectively address the early indicators of substance use within schools.”
“Schools play a vital role in prevention from substance use as students spend most of their time at school. It is therefore crucial to raise their awareness continuously. In cases where risks are present, teachers must be equipped with the knowledge of how to address them, which we aim to achieve through this program,” Alketbi added.
The first day of the training program discussed key topics related to addiction and psychoactive substances, as well as the stages of psychological and social development. It concluded with an interactive Q&A session. The second day focused on presenting the causes and indicators of substance use and preventive measures in the school environment, in addition to a practical workshop featuring real case studies. The program wrapped up with a general discussion session.
About the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC):
Founded in 2002 through the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the National Rehabilitation Center (NRC) is one of the key centers in the network of hospitals that are governed by The Medical Office, a subsidiary of the PureHealth Group. As the UAE’s leading authority on rehabilitation and addiction treatment, NRC has established itself as a pioneer in this vital area. Recognized by WHO in 2017 as a regional leader, NRC continues to drive innovation in prevention, treatment, and recovery through research, strategic partnerships, and evidence-based solutions in collaboration with government and semi-government entities.