Going tough on drugs

We are told that the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has decided to accelerate its drive against the elements involved in supplying drugs to educational institutions across the country. The presence of drugs on campuses and at educational institutions is a source of national concern. If this trend is allowed to prevail, we will have a generation of young people who will be unable to fend for themselves.

The decision by the ANF to identify drug suppliers in schools came at the Force Commanders’ Conference held at the ANF headquarters in Rawalpindi this week. It is a good step. Recent media reports suggest that not only are drugs being supplied to many educational institutions in greater numbers, but the Internet helps customers to order their choices with greater ease. Parents would be shocked to know how recreational drugs have made inroads into most of our educational institutions and children from even the smaller classes have started to use these under pressure from peers. Drugs are now available not only on campuses but also in parties held by students at their homes. This toxic culture needs to be eliminated from its roots,

In its findings, the ANF has already confirmed that the use of synthetic drugs is on the rise. Much of this is consumed by our younger generation who come from well-to-do homes. The ANF should start a special operation for schools and colleges where on the one hand suppliers and conduits are identified and taken to task and on the other school administrations as well as parents are taken on board. The campaign should target the youth through popular media like social media. It should highlight the dangers associated with the prolonged use of social drugs and also suggest ways to deflect peer pressure. Helplines should be established and the youth must be encouraged to identify those among them who are trading in these drugs. Only a concerned and consistent multi-pronged approach will help fight this cancer that is fast spreading among our youth. We should leave no stone unturned to fight this war as the future of our nation may be at stake.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2017.

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