LAHORE:
Leaflets detailing the devastation caused by drugs will be handed out at 25 locations across the city today to mark October 9 as Drug Free Lahore Day, said Drug Free City Lahore Project Director Muhammad Altaf Qamar.
There are more than 9 million drug addicts in Pakistan and there number is rising by about 500,000 a year, said Qamar on Monday. Eight million of these Pakistani addicts are aged between 15 and 64 years, he said.
“If we don’t realise the gravity of the situation, the situation will become even more precarious,” he said. “It is the need of the hour that every person … play a role to control the drug menace.”
The Drug Free City Project is a joint venture of the Punjab and federal governments. Several NGOs are also collaborating in the project. Leaflets will be handed out today at the following times and locations: Youhanna Abad at 3pm, Saddar Bazaar at 12:30pm, Harbanspura Lal Pul at 10am, Quaid-i-Azam Library at 4pm, Allama Iqbal Road Garhi Shahu at 1pm, Jail Road at 9am, Bhati Chowk at 11am, Anarkali Bazaar at 10am, Rang Mahal and Lohari Gate at 3pm, Lorry Adda at 12pm, City Railway Station at 11am, Shahdara Mor at 10am, Ravi Road at 9am, Badami Bagh at 11am, Model Town Link Road at 9am, Qurtaba Chowk and Shadman Chowk at 10am, Gulberg at 10am, Moon Market Allama Iqbal Town at 10am, Samanabad Mor at 10am, Wahdat Road Muslim Town at 9am, Shera Kot 12pm, Multan Road at 11am, DHA at 10am, Johar Town, Township at 12pm and Chauburji, Samanabad Chowk at 11am.
Police reports
A total of 4,233 cases were registered and 4,368 people arrested in connection with illegal drugs while 115.644 kg of heroin, 25.288 kg of opium, 590.552 kg of chars and 28,412 bottles of alcohol were confiscated in the first six months of 2012, said a police handout issued on Monday.
Capital City Police Officer Aslam Tareen, who is chairman of the Lahore Drug Free City Project, was told of these figures at a meeting on Monday.
The city’s police chief directed all departments concerned to send progress reports on their efforts to eradicate drug use in the city, besides ensuring that their focal persons attend meetings in person rather than send representatives.
Tareen said that Civil Lines Division had been declared a drug free zone and asked the Special Branch to report if any drugs were being bought or sold in the area.
Officials of the Anti Narcotics Force, the police, and the Health, Excise and Taxation, Customs, Railways Police, Auqaf, Sports and Education Departments also attended the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2012.
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