Pubdate: Fri, 18 Feb 2005
Source: Daily Times (Pakistan)
Copyright: 2005 Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.dailytimes.com.pk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2893
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

PAKISTAN MAJOR ALLY IN WAR AGAINST DRUGS: PM

* Aziz Urges Media To Play Proactive Role

* 4 Million Drug Addicts In The Country, Of Which 0.5 Million Are Heroin 
Addicts

RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that narcotics is a global 
issue and Pakistan will have to play a vital role in eradicating this 
menace from the world.

Talking to journalists after attending a briefing at the Anti Narcotics 
Force (ANF) Headquarters on Thursday, he said the government would help 
eradicate this menace from its territory by providing drug cultivators with 
alternate means of earning their living. Ghaus Buksh Mehar, federal 
anti-narcotics minister, Major-General Nadeem Ahmad, Director General (DG) 
ANF, and other ANF officials were present on the occasion.

The prime minister commended ANF's efforts in eradicating drugs, actively 
prosecuting drug smugglers, as well as launching a demand reduction 
campaign across the country, and assured the officials of the government's 
full support in the war against drugs.

The premier directed the DG ANF to take appropriate steps to rid the 
country of drugs and said the media could play a pivotal and proactive role 
in this regard.

"We will have to make a joint effort for creating awareness against drug 
abuse and the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of drug addicts 
into society," he underlined.

The premier also highlighted another important issue --families of drug 
addicts having little knowledge about drug rehabilitation centres.

"Many times people do not know where to take their kids. This is our 
responsibility and we will facilitate the media in creating awareness in 
this respect," he said.

Responding to a query, he said that poppy cultivation in neighbouring 
Afghanistan was an acknowledged fact and was a matter of grave concern for 
the global community. "We have discussed the matter with the Afghan 
government and are hopeful that they will take action against drug 
producing laboratories situated in the country," he added.

Earlier in his briefing, Maj Gen Ahmad told the premier about the working 
of ANF and the narcotics situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The prime 
minister was informed that in the 2003-04, the total area under drug 
cultivation in Pakistan was 6,694 hectares, out of which the crop had been 
eliminated from 78 percent of the area. During the year 2004, 7,783 kg of 
heroin, 679 kg of opium and 5,711 kg of hashish were seized by ANF.

 From January 1, 2005, to February 6, 2005, ANF seized a total of 1,359 kg 
of opium, 1,654 kg of heroin and 3,719 kg of hashish. Total assets worth Rs 
4.107 billion were frozen, while assets worth Rs 457.154 million were 
forfeited.

The DG ANF expressed his concern over the record cultivation of poppy in 
Afghanistan. He said that 72 metric tonnes (MT) of heroin were seized in 
the region last year. The domestic consumption was approximately 112 MT. 
Since the total production in Afghanistan translated into 360 MT, there was 
still scope for 176 MT to be smuggled to the international community.

The DG ANF said that there were approximately four million drug addicts in 
the country, out of which 0.5 million were heroin addicts. He said the 
government of Pakistan had approved a master plan for controlling drug 
abuse with a total outlay of Rs 2.832 billion out of which Rs 1.072 billion 
had been allocated for the drug demand reduction component alone.

He also told the premier that the government had approved two Model 
Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres at a cost of Rs 22.52 
million each -- at Islamabad and Quetta -- for the treatment, 
rehabilitation and reintegration of drug addicts.

The prime minister was told that ANF, with the help of the private sector, 
was going to launch a "Friends for Life" club for creating awareness 
against drug abuse and the treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of 
drug addicts into society.

The prime minister was requested to become its first chief patron and he 
accepted.
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MAP posted-by: Beth