Speakers at different functions held in connection with 'International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking' have called upon the government to take stringent measures to check menace of narcotics which is growing at an alarming ratio in the country with change in drug-use pattern.
They also urged the government to take steps for the rehabilitation of drug addicts by setting up rehabilitation centres at district headquarters hospitals.
To mark the day, various organisations and NGOs organised walks, seminars and other programmes aimed at creating awareness among the people about ill effects of use of narcotics.
All Pakistan Youth Federation (APYF) Punjab held a seminar on the topic of 'Drug Abuse Leads to HIV/AIDS and Destruction of the Youth' at Lahore Museum Auditorium. Among others, Mowahid Hussain, Advisor to Chief Minister, Rana Ijaz Advisor to Chief Minister, APYF President Tariq Haleem and others spoke on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mowahid Hussain said that moral values in the society are declining and people usually take drugs to have fun or escape the pressures of life. He stated that there are over five million drug addicts in Pakistan of which 90 percent are men while 10 percent are women. He added that the government is fully aware of the problem of narcotics and taking necessary steps to eliminate this menace from the society.
Rana Ijaz Ahmed Khan said on the occasion that the country is facing manifold problems due to population explosion. He asked the people to keep their family units small so as to avoid economic pressures. He said that awareness about ill effects is a must to check drug problem.
The Punjab excise & taxation department also held a rally from Bagh-e-Jinnah to Assembly Hall.
The Punjab Minister for Excise & Taxation Dr Shafiq Chaudhry led the participants of the rally. Director General Excise & Taxation Punjab, Shamail Ahmad Khawaja, ANF Regional Director Ashfaque ur Rashid, Director E&T Lahore, Ch. Shamim Ahmed, ETO (Excise) Lahore, Rizwan Akram Sherwani, Chaudhry Muhammad Saleem, Superintendent, Excise & Taxation Department and officials of the E&T department and ANF and activists of NGOs participated in the rally.
Addressing the participants of the rally outside Punjab Assembly, Dr Shafique Chaudhry said that the government is focussing on rehabilitation of drug addicts and creating awareness among the people about hazardous effects of drug addiction, which destroy the whole family.
Moreover, Anti-Narcotics Welfare Council (ANWC) organised a rally here at Empress Road. Addressing the participants of the rally, council President Rashid Patris stated that drugs are ruining the lives of the people of Pakistan and it is the duty of every individual to help those drug addicts and motivate them to live as a normal individual of the society. Senior vice-president ANWC said that council would be establishing technical institute to impart skills to drug addicts.
He said that all the Pakistani NGOs should work together and arrange seminars in campaign against drugs. He appealed to the students to control the spread of the drugs.
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