Drug Free City Lahore to be made result oriented

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP): Secretary Narcotics Control Division Sohail Ahmed here on Thursday directed Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) to make extraordinary efforts to streamline implementation of Drug Free Project Lahore.

He said this while chairing a meeting held here at Narcotics Control Division, Director General ANF Maj. Gen. Shakeel Hussain, Director General Planning and Monitoring Unit Muhammad Shahid and Project Director Altaf Qamar also participated in the meeting, said a press released.

Sohail Ahmed also directed ANF to ensure effective implementation of the project to demonstrate its effect on the target group. He advised to involve government of Punjab in provision of treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

It was revealed in the meeting that Lahore has been divided into nine zones and these zones have been allocated to interested NGOs for drug demand reduction activities.

It is informed that from January to June 2011, 871 patients have been admitted in various hospitals including Mayo Hospital, Services Hospital, Punjab Institute of Mental Health and Ganga Ram Hospital.

During this period 6178 cases were registered, 6403 persons were arrested including 17 Africans, 139 kg Heroin, 1003 kg Hashish and 42 kg opium were seized. It was also informed that various successful operations by ANF, FIA and police had been launched which resulted in smashing of drug dens.

It was also informed that toll free helpline (0800-42424) has been established. The helpline number has been displayed at various places in Lahore and people have been informed to provide information about drug users, drug traffickers, drug dens and peddlers to facilitate operations by law enforcing agencies.

The control room has been set up in which a rapid force with six vehicle has been deployed to handle drug paddles and users.

A Project Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary Narcotics Control Division, Multi-Sectoral Task Force under the chairmanship of CCPO Lahore have been constituted to periodical review the implementation of project.

It may be mentioned here that Lahore Drug Free Project was launched on direction of Prime Minister of Pakistan. The project comprises of multi pronged strategies which include drug demand reduction, drug supply reduction and treatment and rehabilitation of addicts.