Zubair Qureshi
A large number of youth, differently-abled people, families, senior members of diplomatic community joined Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) volunteers and members to commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day, and participated at the Save Tomorrow 5—Walk for a Better World – event held to express support and raise awareness in understanding perils of drug overdose and remembering those who have lost their lives to this menace.
Speaking on the occasion Cristina von Sperling Afridi said drug use was one of the biggest public health challenge we face as it is further putting at risk the young population under 30 (130 million) in Pakistan to addiction of drugs during the times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said only last year, hundreds of teenagers have lost their lives and other hundreds of thousands unfortunately have started to indulge on drugs resulting in this big epidemic menace in our society and the future of the Country. This walk was arranged to keep a constant campaign with outdoors engagement with youth and communities to alert all to this alarming situation and need of all stakeholders in jointly fighting the war on drugs in Pakistan.
She thanked the Ambassadors of Austria, the European Union, Spain, Italy and other members of the diplomatic community for their participation, support and solidarity to the cause of the menace of drug use and to the efforts of KKAWF in educating with better knowledge and breaking the stigma around drug use in Pakistan.
She also thanked all the supporters of the Save tomorrow 5 walk including the Serena Hotels, Jaffer Brothers, Chal organization, United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan, Amal for Life, Oil and Gas Development Company, Red Crescent Society and others who sponsored the event with KKAWF. Most importantly she thanked all the youth volunteers of KKAWF and members of KKAWF Board for, as always giving strength and support in helping KKAWF achieve its mission of raising prevention awareness on drug use and empowering youth to make healthy choices for a better future for all.
The walk started from the Rose and Jasmin Garden and ended at Open-Air Theater, Shakarparian. A lively event compared by Taimur from FM 91 was held with prizes awarded to youth and special needs people participating at the walk. Certificates of participation were distributed to all registered youth and certificates of appreciation to all KKAWF volunteers. Youth were also entertained by young singers. Youth from the KKAWF Entrepreneur Youth Corner also set up their stalls to sell goods they are trading.
