President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have stressed the need for eliminating the scourge of drug abuse required creation of awareness, strengthening of anti-narcotics laws, investing in prevention and treatment and engaging communities.
In his message on the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ on Wednesday, President Asif Zardari said: “We also need to educate our youth about the harmful impacts of drug abuse to save them from this menace. Additionally, we should divert the energies of ouryouth into healthy and productive activities. The future of our young generation lies in our hands.”
Today, the president said they commemorated the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking under the theme “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention.” The day highlighted the urgency of taking concrete steps to eliminate the scourge of drugs from the society by intensifying efforts to prevent drug abuse and trafficking in Pakistan, he added. “Drug production and illicit trafficking not only immensely harm our youth and their families, but are also a potential source of financing for criminal and terrorist elements,” he observed.
The president also called upon every citizen to support the government in its fight to eradicate drugs from our society. “I urge each one of you to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse at the individual, family, and community levels, prioritizing prevention and treatment,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying. President Zardari further said that addressing the root causes of drug abuse required an integrated approach involving all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies (LEAs), media, civil society, parents and teachers. “We must curb the flow of drugs into our society, especially within educational institutions, by targeting drug suppliers and peddlers. LEAs should adopt proactive measures and take strict actions against persons involved in drug trafficking,” he maintained.
The president expressed the hope that through their collective efforts, they could achieve a drug-free Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking annually observed on June 26 said the country commemorated the Day to reiterate its firm determination to strengthen action and cooperation to collectively achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. He said the occasion served as a reminder of shared responsibility in combating the illicit trade and trafficking of drugs.
The prime minister said that through collaborative efforts, Pakistan reaffirmed its strong determination to curb and eradicate the distribution of narcotics and banned substances, which posed a grave threat to the well-being of the society. “As we reflect on the impact of drugs on our society, this year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” reminds us that prevention is paramount and underscores the significance of adopting evidence-based strategies focused on prevention,” he remarked. The prime minister called for aligning the collective efforts with internationally recognized best practices, placing a strong emphasis on upholding human rights and guaranteeing that individuals grappling with addiction receive the essential support they need.—NNI
