Pubdate: Tue, 28 Dec 2004
Source: Daily Times (Pakistan)
Copyright: 2004 Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.dailytimes.com.pk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2893

GOVT HAS PLAN TO COMBAT DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES: ANF

LAHORE: The government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to stop
drug trafficking and to create awareness about drugs, this plan will
be implemented from January after a final report is submitted to the
prime minister, said Mian Zahir Ahmad, the federal secretary for
Narcotics, on Tuesday.

Mian Zahir was addressing a two-day workshop jointly organised by the
Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Punjab and the US Embassy. The workshop
aims to train district government officials on how to deal with drugs
related offences.

Mian Zahir said that district governments had a dire need for drug
reduction policies and officials from Lahore, Mianwali, Okara and
Multan had been invited to participate in the workshop. He said that
ANF reports recommended various policies and would be presented to
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the second week of January. He added,
"Aziz will be briefed about all steps taken by the Narcotics ministry
in hospitals and at the district government levels."

Mian Zahir said that the government would eradicate drug abuse through
Drug Demand Reduction Activities (DDRA). He said, "The primary
function of the workshop is to inform elected officials about current
drug problems. They will be motivated to allocate funds for prevention
and rehabilitation activities. A campaign against drug trafficking
will be launched throughout the country." "I am confident that this
workshop will achieve and outline recommendations for further action
against drug trafficking," he added.

Maj Gen Nadeem Ahmad, the director general of the ANF, said that
although an improvement in travelling ties with India was encouraging,
new challenges had to be faced with the expansion of people-to-people
contact. He said that Lahore would become the axis of drug and
chemical smuggling, adding that the government would be persuaded to
increase manpower and funds to improve the performance of law
enforcement agencies in checking luggage at buses depots, airlines and
train terminals.

Maj Gen Ahmad said that ANF was negotiating with the British
government to purchase electronic scanners. He said, "These scanners
will be installed at Wagah border and Lahore Airport to stop drug
smuggling and the intelligence system is also being upgraded."

Kristina Pisani, the deputy director of the US Embassy's Narcotics
Affairs Section, said that the department was researching Opium's
cultivation and collecting information on the number of addicts. She
said, "The use of narcotics among young people is a big challenge. It
is society's responsibility to combat this problem." She said that the
US was prioritising this issue and urged the creation of a drug-free
society. She added that information centres would be set up to spread
awareness about these issues.

Brig Ashfaq Rasheed, the commander of ANF Punjab, also stressed the
need for awareness among people and government officials. He said that
Pakistan had a large number of drug users. He said, "Punjab is the
worst hit province and is home to 45 percent of the country's addicts.
Drug traffickers consider Punjab an attractive option and we fear that
if this problem is not addressed soon, it may become
uncontrollable."

Brig Rasheed said that well-planned efforts were imperative to ensure
meaningful drug reduction activities, including prevention, treatment
and rehabilitation services. He said, "Raising community awareness and
spreading the message about the dangers of drug use, are critical
activities that require special means and professional expertise.
During the last few years, there has been a significant shift from
traditional modes of drugs use, inhaling/smoking, injecting drugs and
solvent abuse in the region which has also contributed to the spread
of HIV/AIDS."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin