PESHAWAR: Expressing his serious concern over the growing number of heroin and other drug addicts, especially in Peshawar, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Sunday announced setting up of a 200-bed well-equipped hospital for treatment and rehabilitation of addicts along with recruitment of related medical staff.

According to a handout, the chief minister directed for establishing this hospital in any existing building in a couple of days so that no further delay could occur in this crucial matter.

He also called for an active coordination among all related departments in this regard.

Mr Khattak made the decision in a special meeting at CM House, Peshawar, that was attended by provincial minister Ziaullah Afridi, additional chief secretary Khalid Pervez, social welfare secretary Hidayatullah Jan, LG& RD secretary Jameel Ahmad, Anti-Narcotics Force DG Maj-Gen Khawar Hanif and regional director Brig Habibur Rehman.

The chief minister also announced a five-member committee for this purpose and directed to select even two buildings as hospitals if the space for treatment of addicts fell short.

CM orders start of the project within days

He underlined the need for permanent rehabilitation of drug addicts and strict check on the elements and sources of drug trafficking and transporting. He said that due to focus on emerging challenges and legislation so far, the provincial government could not give proper attention to this critical issue.

However, he said that his government would not waste time and would address this problem on priority. He said that the drug addicts should not be treated as criminals, but dealt as sensitive and serious patients and thus endeavors must be made to rehabilitate them as special people.

Mr Khattak said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led coalition government was trying to ensure a better future for the youth.

It was decided in the meeting that a board and joint teams comprising elected representatives and members of social welfare and health departments, municipal corporation, district government, local police ANF and commissioner Peshawar, would be constituted that would shift drug addicts from bus stands and footpaths to the hospital.

Cooperation of the parents and relatives would also be sought in such efforts so that the addicts could find a suitable environment during the treatment and rehabilitation process from hospital to their homes. The board and joint teams would also focus on the drug trafficking sources and elements to eliminate them for good. For both these purposes a separate desk of toll free number of police ‘15’ and SMS service would be launched for reporting about drug addicts and drug smuggling.

Social welfare secretary said that welfare bodies like Dost Welfare Foundation could also cooperate with the government in treatment and rehabilitation of the addicts. Maj-Gen. Khawar Hanif revealed that ANF besides controlling the drug trafficking was also anxious about the future of drug addicts and it was ready to cooperate with the provincial government.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2014