UAE launches Hisn 24/7 anti-drug helpline (80044) with legal exemption for anyone seeking treatment

The UAE's National Drug Enforcement Agency has consolidated its anti-drug phone support under the Hisn service: dial 80044 for psychiatrists, addiction specialists and behavioural counsellors, 24/7, with complete confidentiality — and UAE law guarantees exemption from criminal liability for anyone who voluntarily steps forward or is referred by relatives.

The Hisn service (July 2026, building on the older Mukafih line at the same number 80044) treats substance users 'as individuals who need rescue rather than punishment': immediate consultation, clinical evaluation, a custom medical and rehabilitation plan, and family support programs.

The legal guarantee matters in a region where fear of prosecution stops people seeking help: voluntary self-referral or family referral through Hisn carries complete exemption from criminal liability, absolute privacy, and confidential records.

plugreports has added the Middle East to its hotline directory: UAE 80044 (24/7), NRC Abu Dhabi 800 2252, Qatar Naufar +974 4494 6000, Kuwait MoH +965 2462 1770, plus guidance for Saudi Arabia (Al-Amal hospital network). Directory: plugreports.com/hotlines/.