World Anti-Narcotics Day observed

KARACHI - Since independence several intoxicating items have been introduced in the country, however, besides heroin, opium and chars, the injections are the newest and easily product available at medical stores, revealed by the experts while commenting on the eve of "International Anti Narcotics Day."
Talking to the mediamen, Director General Anti Narcotics Sindh Brig Faiz Al Kareem Barki said that the narcotics issue had become a big challenge for Pakistan, and we must keep our level best to tackle it despite limited resources. "Besides having low man-power and resources we are hopeful, and the rectification of narcotics problem is necessary not only for the country but the people of every part of life as well. The local body representatives along with the masses could make our cause efficient to eradicate narcotics problem," he added.
Pakistani experts had expressed their deep concern over the increasing numbers of drug addicts which are increasing the number of HIV cases in the country. While the number of drug addicts have reached more than 25,000 in Karachi, who use heroin through injections, which leads to HIV.
The statistics about drug problems in Pakistan are outdated and do not provide the whole view, as experts believe the affectees are increasing rapidly.
The problem is becoming worst in this sprawling metropolis, as clusters of drug addicts can be seen openly injecting themselves in the streets.
Meanwhile in a telephonic conversation from Peshawar, Drug Demand Reduction HIV Child and Gender (DDRCG)'s consultant Zakir Shoaib told The Nation that more than 0.6 million people, including women are involved in using heroin through injections.
The representative of NWFP-based NGO quoted the survey report of the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted last year, in which it was revealed that Afghanistan is the largest producer of narcotics worldwide with an estimation of 93 per cent of global opiates market. The survey also said that 193,000 hectares of opium poppies were cultivated with an increase of 17 per cent over 2006. Though counter-narcotic and related counter-insurgency measures have been the national priorities for several years, little was known about the threat of drug use.