Drug abuse: CM inaugurates two new buildings at rehab centre

PESHAWAR:

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak inaugurated two new buildings for a drug rehabilitation centre based in Hayatabad, a handout issued on Thursday stated.

The centre is run by Dost Welfare Foundation and aims to assist children and adults. The new buildings – Sakoon Kore III and Sakoon Kore IV – are situated in Dost Complex, Shahi Bala in Hayatabad.  They have been funded by Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and German NGO GTZ to provide treatment to people suffering from drug addiction in the province.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Khattak said drug abuse runs rife in Pakistan. “Unfortunately, K-P is badly affected and is virtually in the grips of a drug epidemic,” he added. Khattak admitted government facilities for treatment and rehabilitation of people who are dependent on drugs in K-P are inadequate. “Drug abuse can lead to countless problems,” he said. “We need to declare a war on drugs.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th,  2015.