Daily Times

LAHORE: The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed on Sunday with the traditional resolve to establish a drugs-free society

“Drugs are not only harmful for the addicted but also have negative impact on the fabric of the society. Innocents people become its victims just to taste or to get rid of curiosity,” said representative of anti-drugs/narcotics campaign, Syed Zulfiqar Hussain, while addressing an award distributing ceremony regarding International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Aiwan-e-Iqbal under the auspices of Drug Advisory Training Hub, a project of Youth Council for Anti-Narcotics (YOCFAN) and City District Government Lahore (CDGL).

Zulfiqar pointed out that the provincial capital with a population of over 12 million people had thousands of drug addicts using hard and soft drugs in public places like footpaths and parks. He said that Lahore was ranked second to Karachi where drug action was very high.

He said that almost medical stores were selling drugs without doctors’ prescription. He said that health department must control uncheck sale of drugs through drug inspectors, which was causing serious ailment among the youth of the city.

The government, he said, would soon announce a drug policy on provincial level where all stakeholders would be invited to give recommendations.

Highlighting objectives and mission about new programme ‘Strengthening Drug Demand Reduction services in Pakistan’, he said that around 150,000 youth, students, women and community leaders would get direct message against the use of drugs under the said two-year programme.

Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab Zakat and Usher secretary Habibur Rahman Gillani said that youth could play a vital role to curb the menace of drug addiction in the society.

“The menace of drug addiction was increasing day by day in our youth. Our youth believe in new life style but drug addiction was destroying their life,” he said.

Despite passage of Sheesha Smoking Bill 2014 by the Punjab Assembly, he said there had been no implementation.

Senior anchor Najam Walli, journalist Mian Habib, Government Degree College for Women China Scheme Principal Prof Shahnaz Sattar, Mohsin Zulfiqar also spoke.

Pertinent to mention that the Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) registered 669 cases, arrested 855 persons including nine foreigners, and also recovered 18.698 tonnes of opium, 3.68 tonnes of heroin, 46.78 tonnes of ashish, 1.46 tonnes of morphine, 2.62 tonnes of amphetamine, 1.620 kg cocaine, 106.69 kg methamphetamine during this year.

The value of recovered narcotics is estimated at $836. 31 million in international market. In addition to that, the ANF has frozen assets worth Rs 301. 55 million while auctioned seized property worth Rs 6.95 million this year.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) observes the day every year on June 26, which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1987.

The day aims at strengthening resolve of the United Nations to create a drug-free society by reducing both demand as well as supply of illicit drugs and increasing awareness among general masses regarding drugs abuse, and also against the illegal trafficking and sale of drugs.

Each year, the UNODC selects themes for international drug day and launches campaigns to raise public awareness regarding the global drug issue and its devastating effects. The theme of the year is ‘Listen First’ with the resolve to achieve a drug-free society.