Alvi, Shehbaz stress need to end drug abuse
In this file photo, a police constable poses in front of burning smuggled goods that included a large amounts of drugs. PHOTO: INP
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday – on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – highlighted the need to end this menace from our society.
President Alvi stressed the need to sensitise students and parents about the drug abuse through workshops and seminars with help of media, civil society and educational institutions.
He added that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had already been directed to implement a strict policy to counter drug abuse in universities.
The president commended the narcotics control ministry for the measures it had taken to combat the trafficking of illicit drugs and mitigating the detrimental impacts of drug abuse.
“We are committed to make Pakistan a model country in the region and beyond, in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, called for strengthening action against drug abuse as illicit trafficking posed a grave threat to the safety, health, and welfare of communities.
“We reaffirm our commitment to proactively limit drug abuse and illicit trafficking’” he wrote on Twitter.
The premier said preventing drug use before it began was the most cost-effective, common-sense approach towards promotion of safe and healthy communities.
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He added that the menace increased the burden on health services, not only in providing treatment to drug dependents but also curing the associated diseases including HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
“Pakistan is committed to fulfil its global commitments as the socioeconomic impact of drug use on families, society and country is enormous.”
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had shown unwavering commitment in addressing the challenges stemming from illicit drugs, and was working closely with international organisations for this purpose.
The premier added that international cooperation and collaboration were vital to limit the proliferation of life-threatening illicit drugs.
He also urged the media and civil society organisations to play their role in raising awareness to make Pakistan a drug-free country.
Separately, the Foreign Office said in a statement that Pakistan itself was a poppy-free country, but its population had become a victim of regional opiate production and trade.
“Drug abuse not only undermines public health and socio-economic development, it also challenges national security and prosperity,” the statement read.
It added that illicit drug production and its trafficking was a major problem in our neighbourhood.
“Pakistan has been at the forefront of the efforts to actively support the ongoing global and regional initiatives that aim to fight against drug production and trafficking.”
The statement further read that the observance of this day manifested Pakistan’s steadfast resolve in creating a drug-free society and world.
The FO said Pakistan closely engaged in the Paris Pact Initiative and the UNODC’s Regional Programme for Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
“Under the Triangular Initiative, Pakistan is cooperating with Iran and Afghanistan to fight this menace. In addition to international and regional cooperation, a number of counter-narcotics measures have been taken at the national level including the adoption of a National Anti-Narcotics Policy in 2019 and the creation of Inter- Agency Task Force on Counter-Narcotics.”
The statement read that protecting the youth and the future generations from this menace was inevitable for a safe and prosperous world. “On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening action and cooperation to achieve a world that is free of drug abuse.”