Mosul hosts narcotics awareness race with 150 security personnel in Nineveh forests

MOSUL — Led by Nineveh Police Chief Maj. Gen. Falah Al-Jarba, about 150 security personnel took part in a race Tuesday aimed at raising awareness about drug prevention, held under the slogan “No to Drugs.”

The 3.5-kilometer event began near the Oberoi Hotel and ended at Nineveh Sports Club, winding through the Mosul forests. Organized by the Nineveh Police Command in cooperation with the Iraqi Central Athletics Federation, the race formed part of a broader anti-drug campaign taking place across all Iraqi governorates.

“Nineveh Police Command organized a race with the participation of all sectors, supported by the Athletics Federation in Nineveh,” al-Jarba said. “Through this event, we emphasize the message: ‘No to drugs.’”

He added that combating drug use is a shared responsibility: “This is a message to all segments of society… and we ask God for success in confronting it.”

Ghanem Ahmed Sheet, a race supervisor, credited the efforts of the Nineveh governor and police chief for bringing the initiative to Mosul. “It’s a symbolic step to drive out the drug epidemic,” he said.

Participant Tareq Aidan Shahada took first place in the race. “The distance was 3.5 kilometers,” he said. “The goal of this festival is to fight drugs and encourage youth to take up sports. Thanks to the Nineveh police chief for launching this initiative that motivates young people to stay active.”

Shahada, who previously competed in a similar race in Baghdad, added: “The competition was tough, especially between the top three runners. My message to everyone is: stay away from drugs.”