- Parents currently bear the greatest responsibility
- Rehabilitation centers facing serious operational challenges
- Media urged not to glamorize drug issue
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Sunday said the provincial government would carry out rapid and random drug testing in schools to combat the growing consumption of narcotics among children.
“Unfortunately, we have not taken narcotics seriously,” Memon said while addressing the media in Karachi, adding that drug abuse had become a global problem and a major concern across Pakistan.
He said several rehabilitation centers were being developed, but described the situation as a “challenge” for the government. Referring to a recent incident in Karachi, Memon said a drug-addicted child opened fire on his family members.
“When these people become zombies from drugs, they are beyond anyone’s control,” he said.
The minister said many people had turned drug trafficking into a profitable business and stressed that dismantling the network was the government’s responsibility.
“I don’t want to name anyone, but this is an entire network,” he said, adding that naming individuals would only lead to memes on social media.
Memon also referred to a suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinky, calling her a woman involved in selling “poison” which was costing precious lives daily.
He urged the media not to glorify the issue and said parents currently bear the greatest responsibility in protecting children from drug addiction.
“I am not talking about a single government, but the entire country,” Memon added.
