Drug addiction: K-P govt to introduce strong legislation against drugs

CM opens rehab centre with all facilities under one roof for ice addicts

PESHAWAR: In an effort to rid the province from the menace of drugs particularly the distribution, sale and use of Methamphetamine or Ice as it is colloquially called the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government plans to bring about strong legislation to rid society of this scourge

This was stated by K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday.at the inauguration ceremony of a drug rehabilitation centre in Peshawar

“The PTI government has set up the first ever ice rehabilitation centre in the province providing free food , lodging and rehabilitation for addicts of the crystal-meth along with providing them training facilities to make them useful citizens of society” he said.

The centre is equipped with all latest facilities under one roof having hundred  beds and a pharmacy for the provision of free medicines in Peshawar.

The ceremony which was also attended by Deputy Speaker K-P Assembly Mahmood Jan, Special Assistant to CM on IT Kamran Bangash, MNAs Haji Shaukat Ali and Arbab Sher Ali, MPAs Asif Khan, Engineer Faheem, Fazil Illahi, District Nazim Peshawar Arbab Asim, Town members and others .

Addressing the gathering the CM described the rehab centre as a unique and historic one where the neglected segment of the society who develop physiological barriers for multiple reasons could be rehabilitated making them useful citizens not only to contribute to the society but to be able to stand on their own feet.

The government would go all out to facilitate the Ice addicts in the centre, he added.

The CM said that the PTI government had the distinction to spearhead the change reforming the whole social fabric, making all out efforts for the social welfare and wellbeing of the people and accordingly will make necessary legislation in this regard.

This is yet another feather in the cap of present government’s achievements, he added.

Mahmood said that the centre would have a separate portion for the treatment of ice drug addicts and a laboratory would be established with modern facilities to undertake necessary screening. Professionally qualified staff would be appointed to take care of the addicts.

The qualified staff would include doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists and physiologists. He said: “we cannot ignore that the people affected by substance abuse are part of society needing full attention of the community.” He said he was aware of the rising trend of ice and other drug use and his government stands committed to eliminating it

He attributed several causes and reasons for the prevalent malaise owing to social and economic deprivation of youth, unemployment and a sense of alienation from mainstream society.

However it is the collective responsibility of the government and welfare institutions to rise to the occasion and contribute in the rehabilitation of these ice addicts.

He reminded that his government has inaugurated shelter homes for homeless people a few days back and today they had the privilege to inaugurate ice drug rehabilitation centre in Peshawar. The next step would be to focus on the beggars to make them useful citizens of the society. He directed to take stern action against the drug barons and peddlers of ice. A new ice drug centre would also be established in Hayatabad which would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan he informed.

He assured the people to resolve their problems as expeditiously as possible.

Earlier District Nazim Peshawar Muhammad Asim spoke about the objectives behind the establishment of the centre. The CM accompanied by MNA Shaukat Ali, MPA Asif and others visited the separate portion established for women at the centre.

The CM appreciated the district nazim for taking keen interest in public welfare activities. The district nazim also presented a souvenir to the chief minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2019.