PM vows to introduce tough anti-drug policy to save youth

Thu, January 14, 2021

ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday stressed the importance of developing a strategy to save the youth from the scourge of drugs and corruption, terming it a menace for the entire society.

While addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Headquarters in Chaklala, the premier vowed to introduce a tough anti-drug policy working in tandem with anti-corruption measures taken by the incumbent government.

The event was attended by the federal minister for narcotics control along with senior officials of the ANF.

He added that relevant ministries, including of education and health, would be taken onboard in view of the growing trend of drug abuse at educational institutes.

He said that an infallible strategy to keep drug abuse in check among youth is paramount to save the future generations of the country.

“The government will run an anti-drug campaign across the country and the entire nation will fight this menace as a united force,” he stated.

He stressed on the need to raise awareness among masses about the negative impacts of drugs in personal and social lives.

“No attention has been paid to drug eradication measure in the past,” PM Imran said as he called a meeting to discuss ways to address the challenge of narcotics next week.

The prime minister said there were seven million drug addicts in the country, with a large number of them being schoolchildren. He stated that he was informed by the Inspector General of Police about the situation of the use of synthetic drug ‘ice’ in schools and universities adding that the revelation was alarming and could leave a disastrous impact on the country’s education and health.

The premier maintained that it was unfortunate for the society that people who profited off such corrupt practice still enjoyed acceptance.

He lauded the ANF's services in eradicating drug abuse. However, he said the efforts of an institution alone could not produce results unless the efforts put in by society itself. "This is the biggest deterrent," he maintained.

PM Imran vowed that the government would enhance the flow of resources required to counter the menace of drug abuse in the country.

Published in the News on 4 December 2020

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