KARACHI, Dec 9: Sindh government will establish drug addicts’ treatment and rehabilitation centres in Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah and Larkana in collaboration with the United Nations Drug Control Programme.

A meeting, with Sindh Chief Secretary K.B. Rind in the chair, discussed important anti-narcotics plans, including two pilot projects under the UNDCP.

Under the first project, drug addict treatment and rehabilitation centres would be set up at the People’s Medical College, Nawabshah, and Chandka Medical College, Larkana, in Sukkur division; Caowsji Centre in Hyderabad, Lyari in Karachi and one at another place.

For the second project, various proposals and suggestions came under consideration.

The meeting was informed that the masses would be apprised of the methods for protection against harmful effects of drugs through recreational and informative programmes.

Prevention centres would be set up in all the districts headed by district Nazimeen.

The committees will send recommendations to the narcotics control board which will be implemented through the prevention centres. A library will also be set up at each centre.

A prevention centre will recommend practical strategy for control of mental depression.

The meeting was informed that buildings and infrastructure for the drug rehabilitation centres would be arranged by the provincial government, while the federal government will provide staff and equipment. The project would cost Rs30 million.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Health Amir Ali Burq; Home Secretary Aslam Sanjrani; Secretary Excise Aftab Memon; Deputy-Director, Narcotics Control Board, Aftab Nabi, and others.—PPI/APP