At least 45 per cent of drugs consumed in Pakistan are smuggled from Afghanistan and around seven million people are addicted to these drugs in the country.
Social Welfare Sindh Secretary Sharique Ahmed said this while addressing a seminar on “society and drug addiction” organised by the department of social work at Karachi University.
He said Pakistan must adopt practical measures to get rid of this menace. Drug addiction begins with the addictions of tea, cigarette, coffee, pan and gutika that lead to the addiction of hard drugs, he said. Awareness must be raised among the youth and all of us must play positive role to get rid of this menace from the society, he added.
Dean Faculty of Social Sciences KU Prof Dr Moonis Ahmar, Member Syndicate KU Prof Dr Ahmed Qadri, former chairman Economics Department KU Prof Muhammad Sajidin, Brigadier Muhammad Abu Zar force commander Anti Narcotics Force Sindh and Faheem Siddiqui, Bureau Chief of a private TV channel also spoke.
Dean Social Sciences KU Prof Dr Moonis Ahmar said the people responsible for selling these drugs were the true culprits of society and a threat to national security. He said Gutika worth millions of rupees was being sold in the country every day and the government had failed to take any measure to control this illegal act.
Director Center of Excellence of Women Studies KU Prof Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah congratulated the department of social work for organising the workshop and threw light on the significance of awareness regarding drug addiction. She added that the government must make laws to coup with the menace of drug addiction.
Member Syndicate KU Prof Dr Ahmed Qadri said: “Drug addiction leads to societal destruction and our youth is destroying their health due to drugs and unlimited number of families are ruined due to this menace. Our society must say no to drugs for nation’s growth.” Shagufta Burney said the sale of pan, ghutka and main pori was common in every nook and corner of the country which was consumed by children, old people and girls too. “It is injurious to health and also a main reason of cancer. No legislation has been made on countering this great menace.”
Prof Sajidin emphasized on the importance of the greater awareness against drug addiction and termed it as drug terrorism. He called for government’s cooperation with all the NGOs and social workers to control this societal issue.
Seven million people with a drug addiction is crazy. I know the number in America is crazy also. I wish someone would do something to increase awareness around the world. Because this problem isn't getting any better.
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