Political parties join hands to stop drug abuse

Leaders say 200,000 drug addicts in province of which Quetta has 12,000 heroin abusers

The leaders of political parties in Balochistan on Monday joined hands against the menace of drugs destroying the talent and lives of the youth.

“The federal government should ensure proper implementation of the ‘great responsibility’ handed over to the anti-drug force,” said the leaders of political parties while addressing a workshop on treatment of drug addicts held at the Quetta Press Club on Monday.

Balochistan National Party central leader Lashkari Raisani, Opposition Leader in Balochistan Assembly Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Awami National Party provincial leader Nizamuddin Kakar, BNP-Awami’s Wahid Baloch, Hazara Democratic Party’s Raza Waqeel, Social Welfare Department’s Sikandar Shah, Dr Kehwar Khan, Javed Anjum, Dr Taj Raisani, political parties students’ wings members, and non-governmental organisations and civil society members all gathered on one platform.



The political parties’ leaders said, “Awareness should be created among the people of Balochistan about the powerful drug lords. It has become a great challenge for the political parties to put an end to drug abuse.”

The leaders said that day-by-day the number of drug addicts in the province was increasing.

“According to a survey,” they said, “There are 200,000 druggies in the province of which only in Quetta there are 12,000 heroin addicts.”

They were of the view that the federal and provincial governments should inquire from the Anti-Narcotics Force as to how many drug smugglers had been apprehended till date.



“The health department should conduct a survey to determine the type of drugs entering the province and the possible diseases they cause,” they said, adding that people coming to the province for jobs should undergo tests and be hired keeping in view the test reports.

They suggested conducting a session of officials concerned once every three months in order to review their performance and cover any neglected angle.

They also demanded of the Pemra to direct all television channels to air programmes warning against the use of drugs.

“Eradicating the menace of drugs is a major challenge for society and only by overcoming it can we end the current turmoil plaguing our youth,” they said.

The leaders said that in order to stop the use of drugs, all officials concerned should conduct awareness campaigns at schools, colleges and universities, adding that sermons at mosques and madrassas should also emphasise on this important issue.

“Law is for everything, but sadly it is not implemented. We have to create hatred for drugs in the hearts of the people,” they concluded.