ISLAMABAD: (Parliament Times) Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi,[HI (M), TBt, SBt], the Federal Minister for Narcotics Control chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to take cognizance of the Drug Demand Reduction Activities in particular and other matters of the Ministry in general. He expressed his grave concerns on the prevailing trend of the synthetic drugs use amongst youth of the country particularly in educational institutions. The Minister termed it as a serious challenge to the Ministry of Narcotics Control (MNC). He furthered that the Ministry must resolve to leave no stone unturned to control this alarming situation and curb this menace to make Pakistan a Drug Free country. The Secretary MNC, Mr. Iqbal Mehmood, informed that the Ministry has, under the specific directions of the Minister, already chalked out a comprehensive preventive strategy under its Mass Awareness Campaign against drugs abuse. The Ministry is working in close collaboration with other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) e.g. the National Highways and Motorways Police (NH&MP), Police, Islamabad Traffic Police etc to supplement the knowledge of the field officers about drugs hazards; and to sensitize them about severity of the prevailing drug situation across the country particularly the young generation. This Ministry will also impart necessary trainings on drugs awareness and its fatal hazards to the mobile awareness teams of the NH&MP so that they could also disseminate awareness amongst youth across the country. Moreover, the Pakistan Girls Guides Association (PGGA), Islamabad has also been engaged so that their senior guides could be equipped with basic awareness against drugs kinds / types and its hazardous effects enabling them to sensitize the students of their respective schools and colleges.
The Secretary furthered that in addition to the above, the Ministry is also conducting an hour long weekly programme titled “Nashey sey Pak Pakistan” on the ITP’s FM 92.4. Besides, short awareness messages against drugs use are being broadcasted with short intervals on Pakistan Radio, FM 92.4, FM 96.4 and FM 100. Besides, the Ministry has also participated in TV Talk Shows to highlight the issue and aware the masses about deadly consequences of the drug use.
