UAE ministry warns students against consuming sedatives

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Interior (MoI), in collaboration with the Drug Control Council and the National Drug Prevention Programme, has issued a Drug Prevention Guide, which has been distributed to all schools across the country.Through the guide, the ministry has warned adolescents and young individuals of both genders against the dangers of consuming certain medications, including sedatives, that can lead to addiction and even death due to excessive, non-prescribed use.Sedatives are medications designed to calm the patient and induce sleep by altering nerve signals in the central nervous system. They are commonly used to treat anxiety, stress, seizures, panic attacks, and sleep disorders.Sedatives must be used with extreme caution. Misuse or mixing them with substances like alcohol can result in severe health complications, potentially life-threatening. Overuse can inhibit critical nerve signals to the heart, lungs, and other organs, leading to dangerous side effects.Parents should be aware of the following indicators of sedative addiction: