Federal Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday said that drug-addicts are part of the society, who need special attention not isolation. He was addressing a seminar "Say No to Drugs Yes to life," held here in connection with International Day against Drug Abuse, organised by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and a local NGO.
The minister said it is duty of the society in general and the family in particular to arrange for drug-addicts' rehabilitation, recovery and employment so that he could play a positive role in the society.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that awareness should be created among the people against use of narcotics through print and electronic-media so that they could discourage it because an addict disturbs his own family and the society.
He said the evil is an emerging threat across the world and no government alone can curb it without the help and co-operation of the civil society and the NGOs.
He said the government has allocated huge funds in the budget for awareness campaigns.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Mehmood-ul-Hassan Butt said such seminars should be arranged in educational institutions to create awareness among the students and youth.
He said it was duty of all to save younger generation from the menace so that their energies could be utilised for the welfare of the society and development of the country. The seminar was attended by large number of students, officials of Ministry of Narcotics, media persons and parents and members of the civil society.