SWAT
An important meeting held here on Tuesday with Commissioner Malakand Division Shaukat Ali Yousafzai in the chair, announced a major crackdown on drug pushers and reviewed a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate drug addicts across the division.
The forum reviewed the overall situation of drug addicts in Malakand division.
Secretary to Commissioner Muhammad Ali Khan briefed the meeting regarding statistics on the situation and rehabilitation facilities available in the division.
Deputy Commissioner Swat Junaid Khan and officers of the social welfare department and representatives of non-governmental organizations providing services for the rehabilitation of addicts attended the meeting.
Commissioner Malakand directed the concerned to furnish accurate data of addicts within a week as well as to provide data of rehabilitation centers serving at public and private level.
“Steps will be taken for further functioning of government-run rehabilitation centers across the division so that all facilities are available for complete recovery of the addicts” , he said.
He also directed the officers concerned to visit the rehabilitation centers to review the available facilities and to provide a detailed presentation.
On this occasion, the Commissioner said that drug addicts are not only a cause of trouble for their families, but they are also burden for society.
“I am fully committed that drug addicts can be completely rehabilitated and lead a dignified life as useful citizens of the society” , he said.
Shaukat Ali Yousafzai said that the role of welfare organizations in this regard is commendable as well as the government sector is making efforts for the recovery and rehabilitation of addicts in their rehabilitation centers in many districts across the division.
He further said that the state sponsored rehabilitation centers established at the district level will be equipped with facilities so that every level of capacity is available in government centers as per the requirements.
Deputy Commissioner Swat Junaid Khan while expressing his opinion suggested that awareness campaigns through media among the public including helpline contact centers are very important to identify drug addicts in different districts.
