Individual speakers, while pointing at the rising incidence of drug addiction, specially among the youth, called for immediate measures to curb the menace.
Among the many activities taking place in the city, an exhibition of paintings and posters was arranged by the Anti- Narcotics Force on Wednesday under the title of “War Against Narcotics” at the Sadquain Art Gallery. A number of schoolchildren participated in the contest.
In the paintings category, Muneer Shah of the Ziarat School of Art secured the first prize, while Ayaz Javed (amateur) and Khalid Iqbal (amateur) secured the second and third prizes, respectively.
In the poster category, Fatima Gulrez of Studio Art secured the first prize, while Aslam Bashir (amateur) and Ahmad Ali of Aryan School of Art secured the second and third prizes, respectively.
Meanwhile, the provincial minister for health and population welfare, Ahsan Ahmed, while inaugurating “Aas Drug Addicts Treatment Centre” in Malir Town, said that the treatment of drug addicts cannot be assumed as the responsibility of doctors alone, but involves the entire community which has to play a role in the rehabilitation of drug addicts, adds PPI.
He said that besides doctors providing initial treatment, clinical psychiatrists should also step in to take over the process and thereafter sociologist, parents, friends and relatives.
The minister advised the area councillors to also extend a helping hand. He said that the present government is steadily implementing an effective and comprehensive anti-drug policy. He lauded the efforts of the Anti-Narcotic Force for its services.
Religious leaders, scholars, intellectuals, parents, teachers, journalists and responsible citizens were also requested by the minister to ponder the underlying cause of the menace of drug addiction and come up with practical suggestions for its eradication.
The health minister also stressed the need for close coordination among NGOs working against drug addiction, while the print and electronic media were called upon to create awareness among the masses.
The ceremony was attended by the Malir Town Nazim, in charge of “Aas”, a representative of Consumer Protection Council and area notables.
In another event, members of Faran Foundation, at a conference at the Press Club, on Wednesday, held in connection with the World Anti-Narcotics Day with the theme “Move for Health, Stop Addiction”, said that while millions of dollars are offered to countries such as Pakistan for awareness and phasing-out drug trade, the international community must support victims of this drug war and provide assistance to such countries whether at the government or NGOs level.
Secretary general of the foundation, Mohammad Tariq Khan, said that drug-trafficking, arms trade and money laundering work hand- in-hand, giving way to each other. The illicit drug traders benefits from investing in arms and the planes/ships used by various agencies to supply arms carry huge amounts of drugs on their way back home.
Syed Zulqarnain Shah of NARC said that researchers estimate that the number of narcotic addicts in Pakistan is around 5 million — 3.6pc of the total population, and the directly- affected people (immediate families) are believed to be around 25 million, which makes up 18pc of the population and is an alarming situation.
The speakers, in their recommendations, suggested that the law-enforcement agencies must concentrate on breaking the borders-to-streets chain of supply and create awareness that drug addicts are patients, not criminals and drug addiction is treatable.
Finally, awareness campaigns need to be launched on Union Council level and Nazims and councillors should activate the community on this issue. Special attention be paid to high-risk areas such as Lyari, Sohrab Goth, Essa Nagri, Azam Basti, Shireen Jinnah Colony, Ayub Goth, Orangi, Ibrahim Hyderi, Keamari, Lines Area and Landhi, they added.
In yet another event held to mark the day on Wednesday, the Inspector General Police Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah, called upon the government and NGOs to rid the society of this menace, adds APP.
He pointed out that the issue of narcotics has assumed serious proportions in Pakistan and no sensitive Pakistani can remain silent and not express concern.
Speaking about the co-relationship between narcotics and crime, the IGP said that crimes which emanate from narcotics can be divided into two categories — those committed by addicts individually under the influence of sedation or for obtaining narcotics; and those who are not addicts but get involved in this heinous business to earn more money.