PESHAWAR: The speakers at an awareness seminar on Thursday called for joint efforts to curb use of drug among youth and serious social issues arising out of it.

The one-day seminar was organised by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (KPCECVE) on prevention of increasing drug use among youth and elimination of crime.

The aim of the seminar was to create awareness regarding the increasing use of drugs among the youth.

Dr Qasim Khan, Director General of KPCECVE, in his opening remarks, emphasised the importance of community involvement and collective efforts in the fight against drug abuse.

He said that the aim of KPCECVE was to promote dialogue for lasting solutions to these problems and to provide a platform for all partners where they could come up with better strategies for protection, guidance and rehabilitation of youth.

KPCECVE Dr Chief Coordination Officer Ayaz Khan, while addressing the seminar, said that early knowledge about the hazards of drug use was very important. He said it was responsibility of healthcare professionals, educationists and policy makers to play their imperative role in providing a support system for the recovery of affected individuals.

Dr Ayaz Khan called for collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organisations to develop a comprehensive strategy for drug prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Professor Dr Abdul Rahman, head of the Islamic Centre, University of Peshawar emphasised that Islam strictly prohibited the use of narcotic substances, and also advocated compassion and rehabilitation for those suffering from the addiction.

In the seminar, renowned psychologists, health experts and KPCECVE officials shed light on the causes of drug use and the harms and dangers arising from it, and the role of family and educational institutions in preventing drug use.

Khyber Medical University Vice Chancellor Dr Ziaul Haque highlighted the responsibility of educational institutions in creating awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and guiding students towards a healthy and useful life.

He said that the fight against drug abuse required the joint effort of teachers, parents and the wider society.

At the end of the seminar, various recommendations were made for public and private educational institutions to prevent drug abuse among the youth.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2024