Anti-narcotics day today

Like other parts of the world, 'the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking', is celebrated on June 26, throughout Pakistan. It was pledged that efforts would continue to achieve the goal of a narcotics- free society. The risk of prevalence of drug use among young people is more than twice, as teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to using illicit drugs.
At this age, peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs, can be strong and self-esteem is often low. Also, those who take drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved, experts told Business Recorder. They asked for raising aversion against drugs as it was not only harming users, but also hitting the families of addicts hard.
They were of the view that moral values in society were declining and people usually take drugs to have fun, or escape the pressures of life. It may be mentioned that this day commemorates the signature of the Declaration adopted at the International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held on 26th June 1987.
Various NGOs and organisations have chalked out an elaborate programme to mark the Day. Walks, seminars, symposiums, games and other events would be held to mark the Day. In Lahore, Fountain House Institute for Mental Health, in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and the World Federation for Mental Health, (WFMH) would hold a special function, on Friday, to mark the day. Force Commander ANF Brigadier Sajjad Ahmad Bakhshi would be the Chief Guest.
Among others, Medical Superintendent Sir Gangaram Hospital Dr Ijaz Sheikh, Mussarat Misbah, Professor IAK Tareen, Professor Shaukat Mahmood, Ajmal Niazi and Atta ul Haq Qasmi would address the audience. Professor Dr Haroon Rasheed Chaudhry, on the occasion, would give a special introduction about the 'Rasheed Rehab Centre for Addicts.'
According to health professionals, there were estimated seven million drug addicts in the country, who use hashish, liquor, substance abuse etc. Those facing drug abuse problems have different needs. Drug abusers, who commit crimes, require alternative treatment in order to break the cycle of drug abuse and crime, they added. Nevertheless, family support, job protection, conducive work environment and a helpful attitude of family members, as well as colleagues, are needed for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. Talking about alcohol abuse, the experts said that it not only harms bodies, minds, families, societies and economies, but also weakens the normal functioning of the liver that leads to the development of liver cirrhosis. According to them, alcohol abuse or excessive drinking, is associated with a whole range of problems, such as- physical, psychological, social, criminal and economical.
They said, liver cirrhosis was the terminal stage of liver diseases, in which the liver shrinks and fibroses, thereby losing all its functions. This stage occurs after the liver has undergone abuse and destruction for a long period of time. Talking about rehabilitation of drug addicts, Head Department of Psychiatry Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Professor Dr Haroon Rashid Chaudhry told this scribe that addicts were required to be given vocational, occupational, and religious therapies, so that those employed, could resume their jobs after undergoing necessary treatment.
According to him, the first three days of the treatment of addicts were very difficult, as they had quitted the drugs and started taking medicines. Doses were gradually reduced, after three days, during their 10-day detoxification at the treatment centre.
The addicts also needed a three-month mental treatment at home and needed to remain in touch with doctors for one year. He called for the setting up of rehabilitation centres at each district headquarter hospital, to ensure rehabilitation of drug addicts. Sources in the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said that the ANF had, so far, frozen assets worth $74.524 million belonging to drug barons, who had acquired assets through drug proceeds.
Pakistan is contributing significantly to international, counter-narcotics efforts and has achieved outstanding interdiction results over the last few years. The ANF had taken several enforcement measures for the control of narcotics in the country, sources said.
It may be noted that there were 26 police stations of the ANF in the country, while 8 new police stations had been contemplated. One each at Abbottabad, Mardan/Nowshera, Mirpur, Mianwali, Rahim Yar Khan, Lora Lai, Pasni and Hub. Three IONSCAN Machines (Itemises) had been installed at Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi airports to detect drugs.