What was once a common treatment for eye conditions is now raising red flags among law enforcement. Sharjah Police has sounded the alarm over the growing misuse of tropicamide, a type of eye drop, which is now being exploited for its mind-altering effects.
This concern took center stage during the International Conference on Forensic Science in Osaka, Japan, where First Lieutenant Noura Abduljaleel Hajouni, a forensic chemistry expert from Sharjah’s Department of Evidence and Laboratories, presented a virtual research paper on the disturbing trend. Her study focused on the neurological impact of tropicamide abuse, early warning signs, and the cutting-edge techniques being used to detect misuse.
Her presentation placed a spotlight on a larger, global issue — the increasing abuse of legally available pharmaceutical products for dangerous or illegal purposes.
Brigadier Naji Mohammed Al Hammadi, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Criminal Security and Ports, stressed the broader value of the UAE’s international contributions. “When our officers share knowledge with the global scientific community, it’s not just about raising our profile — it’s about investing in the future. We believe that knowledge is key to creating a safer, smarter society,” he said in a Gulf News report.