Sindh, Centre join hands against drugs

Agree on proactive approach to protect young generation

KARACHI:

The provincial and federal governments have joined forces to protect the younger generation from the perils of synthetic drugs. This initiative emerged during a meeting held at the CM House, where Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Narcotics Control discussed strategies to address the drug menace. Provincial ministers, advisors, chief secretary, and key officials from the federal government, including DG ANF Maj Gen Aneeq Rehman, attended the meeting.

The federal minister and DG ANF commended the provincial government for its proactive measures in successfully curbing drug trafficking and its adverse effects, especially the infiltration of synthetic drugs into educational institutions in Sindh.

CM expressed concern over the threat posed to children by the presence of synthetic drugs in educational institutions, particularly in Karachi. He highlighted the establishment of the Provincial Task Force on Control of Narcotics in 2019, chaired by himself, to provide policy guidelines.

To tackle the narcotics issue comprehensively, the CM informed about the formation of a committee under the DG Rangers to control drug-related activities along provincial borders. Additionally, another committee, led by the IG police, was established to address drug-related challenges in cities and towns across the province.

Moreover, the government has set up two operational Drugs Rehabilitation Centres, one in Karachi and one in Hyderabad, where doctors and psychologists collaborate to facilitate the recovery of addicted individuals. Furthermore, efforts are underway to identify and establish specialised rehabilitation centres in all divisional headquarters.

Inauguration of the Benazir Shaheed Model Addicts Treatment & Rehabilitation Centre (MATRC), Manghopir, marked a significant milestone in the joint endeavors of the Sindh government, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and the Ministry of Narcotics Control, along with national and international partners.

The MATRC is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities aimed at providing holistic services for the prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of drug users and their families. It offers free treatment, including detoxification, counseling, vocational training, and aftercare services.

The CM emphasised the importance of raising awareness through campaigns, conducting research studies, and organising capacity building programmes for drug demand reduction. He acknowledged that Sindh was one of the regions most affected by drug-related issues in Pakistan, and efforts to combat this problem needed to address social, economic, health, and security challenges, including poverty, unemployment, crime, violence, and public health concerns.

In his remarks, Federal Minister Shahzain Bugti highlighted the urgency of close coordination among provincial governments to combat the drug menace. He expressed concern over the increasing accessibility of drugs to school children and stressed the need to address drug-related activities in correctional facilities. Bugti also mentioned plans to teach Arabic and Chinese languages to individuals undergoing rehabilitation, enabling them to access job opportunities.

The event witnessed speeches by Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) Chairman Saleem Jalbani and Force Commander ANF Brig Waqar, who further emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in combating drug-related challenges.

The joint commitment of the provincial and federal governments signals a proactive stance towards protecting the younger generation and eradicating the drug menace from society, emphasising the significance of addressing this issue collectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2023.