Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jun 2002
Source: Frontier Post, The (Pakistan)
Copyright: 2002 The Frontier Publications (Pvt)
Contact:  http://frontierpost.com.pk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/575

MUSHARRAF RALLIES NATION IN WAR ON DRUG ABUSE

ISLAMABAD-As he urged the nation on in its war against drug abuse and 
trafficking, President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday said the challenges 
were global in nature and therefore merited globally coordinated response.

In his special proclamation on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and 
Trafficking, the President reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to 
eradicating the evil from its soil.

"Having successfully met the challenge of poppy eradication, Pakistan today 
joins the world community on the occasion of the International Day against 
Drug Abuse and Trafficking with a sense of pride and accomplishment", 
Musharraf said.

The President underlined the need for creating awareness among the people 
about the dangers of drug abuse and the ways to avoid it.

"In this regard it is imperative that relevant government agencies chalk 
out and implement awareness programs effectively and intelligently".

Musharraf exulted that the Pakistan's efforts assisted by various local and 
foreign organizations were quoted as a success story but still a lot needed 
to be done to combat the multifarious threats of drug abuse and trafficking.

"On this occasion I would like to reiterate that besides steps to eradicate 
drug abuse, measures are being taken to rehabilitate drug addicts and to 
ensure that they do not relapse to drug use", the President said.

He urged the nation to collectively wage a war against this social menace 
saying, "I also take this opportunity to call upon the entire nation to 
join this noble endeavor and hope hat the international community would 
further strengthen its cooperation with Pakistan to achieve the desired 
results." The President also commended the untiring efforts of Narcotics 
Control Board, Anti Narcotics Force and all concerned agencies in Pakistan 
in ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom