President Zardari message on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

ISLAMABAD, June 25 (SABAH): Today, we commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the theme “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention.” This day highlights the urgency of taking concrete steps to eliminate the scourge of drugs from our society by intensifying efforts to prevent drug abuse and trafficking in Pakistan.

Drug production and illicit trafficking not only immensely harm our youth and their families, but are also a potential source of financing for criminal and terrorist elements. Addressing the root causes of drug abuse requires an integrated approach involving all stakeholders, including Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), media, civil society, parents and teachers. We must curb the flow of drugs into our society, especially within educational institutions, by targeting drug suppliers and peddlers. LEAs should adopt proactive measures and take strict actions against persons involved in drug trafficking.

Eliminating the scourge of drug abuse also requires creating awareness, strengthening anti-narcotics laws, investing in prevention and treatment, and engaging communities. We also need to educate our youth about the harmful impacts of drug abuse to save them from this menace. Additionally, we should divert the energies of our youth into healthy and productive activities.

The future of our young generation lies in our hands. Today, I call upon every citizen to support the government in its fight to eradicate drugs from our society. I urge each one of you to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse at the individual, family, and community levels, prioritizing prevention and treatment. I am sure that through our collective efforts, we can achieve a drug-free Pakistan. Insha’Allah.