June 25, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 09, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 24: Minister for Population Welfare Chaudhry Shehbaz Hussain said Sunday poppy cultivation had almost been abandoned in Pakistan, however, the drug addiction still continued to play havoc with lives of addicts, mostly youth.

“We are making concerted efforts to eliminate this menace to protect our society from this danger,” the minister said at a walk arranged by Young Welfare Council in collaboration with Anti-Narcotics Fore, Rawalpindi Region at G-9 Markaz.

A large number of people from different walks of life including school children participated in the walk, which was arranged ahead of International Day Against Drug Abuse to be observed on June 26.

Chaudhry Shehbaz Hussain called for massive awareness campaigns to inform the people on the hazards of drug addiction, which has endangered the society.

“Since poppy cultivation is no more in Pakistan, however, a neighbouring country was producing it in abundance that in turn effects our lives,” he said.—APP

Our Correspondent from Murree adds: Another walk was held at Murree in which a large number of people from all walks of life and schoolchildren participated. The walk, organised by the Anti-Narcotics Force, started from GPO Chowk and culminated at Kanaan Park.

In the end a magic show and a musical show was held and prizes were distributed among the participants. GPO chowk.