Pubdate: Thu, 01 May 2014 Source: Nation, The (Pakistan) Copyright: 2014 The Nation Group of Publications Pvt Limited Contact: http://www.nation.com.pk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1020 EFFORTS STRESSED TO END DRUG ADDICTION HAFIZABAD-The district administration has stressed the need for preparing a comprehensive and integrated plan by the government departments, NGOs and parents to eliminate the menace of drugs and drug addiction which has ruined most of the families. While addressing the meeting of District Anti-Narcotics Committee, he stressed that drug peddlers deserved zero leniency but drug addicts deserved wholehearted sympathies so that they could be rehabilitated and make them useful citizens. The meeting was also addressed by DO (Cord) Allah Ditta Warraich, EDO (Education) Mehr Muhammad Ashraf Harl, DO (Excise & Taxation) Naeem Ahmad, District Officer (Health) Dr Mumtaz Ahmad, DO (Social Welfare) Muhammad Nawaz Gohar, DO (Sports) Majid Hussain, Assistant Director Atif Imdad Tarar. On the occasion, speakers stressed the need for the promotion of sports and other healthy activities to pursue addicts to give up addiction. They also urged heads of educational institutions to create awareness among students regarding the ill-effects of smoking and drug addiction. They also called upon Ulema to give lectures during Friday congregations regarding the menace to save the younger generation from going astray. Meanwhile, DPO Muhammad Zubair Dareshak said that the District Police had launched a vigorous crackdown on the drug peddlers since January and had arrested 171 drug peddlers with 16 kg of heroin, 10 kg of charas, 9 kg of opium and 2,632 bottles of liquor. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom