Drug abuse : Province to set up panel on narcotics control

Plans to formulate a drug control master plan under way.

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has decided to establish a provincial narcotics control committee to eradicate the menace of drugs and narcotics.

This decision was made at a meeting held under the supervision of Sindh Chief Secretary Abdul Subhan Memon. The meeting aimed at preparing a Drug Control Master Plan for Sindh, in accordance with the Drug Control Master Plan 2010-14.

The government’s excise and taxation department will float a summary for the chief minister about the construction of the provincial narcotics control committee.

Meanwhile, the department’s director-general, being the focal person, will coordinate with the Anti-Narcotics Force and other relevant departments.

During the meeting, Memon asked the provincial departments to join hands with the Anti-Narcotics Force and focus on controlling the trafficking and distribution of narcotics substances, reducing the number of drug addicts through prevention and rehabilitation measures and developing public awareness against drug abuse. The education policy and school curriculum should also include awareness lessons.

The participants decided to hold a two-day seminar for public awareness within the next couple of weeks.

The Anti-Narcotics Force commander will organise this seminar in collaboration with the excise and taxation, health, social welfare, education, culture, Zakat and Ushr and information departments.

It was also decided that an Anti-Narcotics Cell, working under the Sindh Police, will help the government get rid of drug abuse.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th,  2011.