The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Regional Directorate Sindh organised a vintage car rally and cycle race to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking.
As many as 30 vintage and antique cars participated in the rally that started from Nishan-e-Pakistan, Sea View, and culminated at Mazar-e-Quaid after passing through Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shahrah-e-Quaideen and other main thoroughfares of the metropolis.
Besides, 60 cyclists also participated in the cycle race. The objectives of the rally were to raise mass awareness about hazardous effects of drug abuse on human health and the national economy. It aimed to prokote prevention measures and to mobilise the public, particularly the youth, to join hands with the anti-narcotics force to strengthen its efforts to curb illegal trade of drugs in the country.
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse. This year, the theme was Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives.
ANF Director General Brigadier Syed Vaqar Haider Rizvi, while speaking at the concluding ceremony, stressed on the need for joint efforts by government institutions, civil society, parents, teachers and particularly the youth to curb the menace of drug abuse.
"Drug abuse had serious implications for any nation as this menace was playing havoc all around the world," he said. The DG added that the situation demanded a comprehensive strategy and engagement of every segment of the society to deal with menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The ANF, in collaboration with Pakistan Rangers Sindh and Sindh Police, conducted dozens of operations across the province and confiscated 46,000 kilograms of different drugs and narcotic substances in the previous five years, while more than 35,000 suspects were apprehended and booked in 29,000 cases, he said.
Brigadier Rizvi added that ANF and other law enforcing agencies were striving hard to root out the menace of drugs from society and were confident that the evil of would not last long in the country. Besides operational actions, ANF was also focusing on rehabilitation of drug addicts and ANF hospital Lyari was extending treatment facilities to scores of drug addicts while specialized hospitals were also functioning in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2021.
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