ISLAMABAD, June 25: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has reiterated his country’s commitment to eradicate drug abuse in the country.

In his message on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking being observed on Wednesday (today), he stated that having successfully met the challenge of poppy eradication, Pakistan joined the world community on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

The president said: “The efforts of Pakistan assisted by various local and foreign organizations have resulted in our country being quoted as a success story.”

However, he added, a lot needed to be done to combat the multifarious threats of drug abuse and trafficking. “On this occasion, I would like to reiterate that besides steps to eradicate drug abuse, measures are being taken to rehabilitate drug addicts and to ensure that they do not relapse to drug use.”

Gen Musharraf noted that greater attention was also being paid to create awareness among the people about the dangers of drug abuse and the ways to avoid the menace.

He urged relevant government agencies to chalk out and implement awareness programmes effectively and intelligently. “I also take this opportunity to call upon the entire nation to join this noble endeavour and hope that the international community would further strengthen its cooperation with Pakistan to achieve the desired results.”

The president was of the view that drug trafficking and abuse were a global challenge and that it must evoke global response.

He commended the efforts of the Narcotics Control Division, the Anti-Narcotics Force and all the agencies concerned in the country in the ongoing war on drug abuse and trafficking.—APP