02 March 2005	Wednesday	20 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, March 1: The government is making all-out efforts to eliminate the menace of drug abuse from the society. This was stated by Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Director- General Maj-Gen Nadeem Ahmed at the launching of "Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2004", here on Tuesday.

The event was organized by Anti-Narcotics Force in collaboration with UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).

UNODC Representative Vincent McClean and UNIC Director Tetsuo Ohno along with other representatives of the three international bodies were also present. The ANF director-general said there was a dire need to create awareness among the citizens of the disadvantages of drugs through various campaigns.

He urged the government, NGOs and the people to join hands with anti-narcotics department to root out the menace of drugs from the society. Maj-Gen Ahmed asked the scholars to use their influence against the anti-social elements.

"We are closely coordinating with neighbouring countries in order to control drug trafficking in the region," he said. He said it was the responsibility of local law-enforcement agencies to control street crimes.

The INCB had sent a mission to Pakistan in July 2002 which acknowledged efforts made by the Pakistan government in combating illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

The board also welcomed recent initiatives in the form of legislation against money-laundering, and encouraged the government to investigate incidents involving corruption. It hoped that the importance given to drug control within the institutional framework of Pakistan would contribute to counter illicit drug-related activities.