PESHAWAR: Police in collaboration with academia organised a walk and seminar at University of Peshawar on Monday to create awareness among the students against use of methamphetamine also known as “ice” drug.

A statement said that a large number of students, teachers and police officials participated in the walk. The participants of the walk also held banners and placards inscribed with anti-ice slogans.

Cases of use of the new drug by the students have been reported from the campus. Ice is a synthetic drug found in white crystal form which is easily available in the market.

Before the walk, a seminar was also organised at Pashto Cultural Museum that was attended by the students and academicians. UoP Vice-chancellor Dr Mohammad Asif, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Qazi Jamilur Rehman, Prof Ameer Zada Asad and others addressed the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, CCPO Qazi Jamil said that police were taking different measures to protect youth from the menace of various drugs including ice. He said that youth got addicted quickly to use of ice as compared to other drugs. He said that ice was highly addictive and there was need of awareness to protect young generation from the menace of drugs.

SP Waseem Riaz, who has been designated focal person for ‘Ice-Free Peshawar’ campaign, told the seminar that police had struck the network involved in sale and supply of ice on the campus.

He said that the network involved in the business of ice was still active outside the campus and supplied drugs to students staying in private hostels. “This network will be busted soon,” he added.

The SP claimed that a group operating from Jamrud in Khyber tribal district had been busted and people selling drugs had been put behind bars.

Vice-chancellor Dr Mohammad Asif said that students should play active role in creating awareness among youth and eradication of ice. He also proposed holding seminars and workshops in and outside the campus to mobilise society, particularly youths against the use of ice. Certificates and shields were also distributed among the participants of the seminar.

Separately, Qazi Jamil announced provision of mobile driving licence unit to the campus to facilitate students to get driving licences. He said that the unit would operate as one window facility on the campus.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2018