More than 53% of private school students in Islamabad are addicted to drugs, as exposed by the report presented before Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control exposed on Wednesday.
The report that was prepared by a non-government organization (NGO) stated that 44% to 53% students of private schools are addicted to various kinds of drugs. What surprised the committee members most was the revelation that the addicts are either provided with intoxicants by their fellows or teachers, it added to the surprise of committee members.
Dr. Maria Sultan, director general of South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) attended the meeting. “The average age of students in the private schools, in which nearly 44% to 53% of pupils are taking either artificial or hard drugs or were addicted to heroine, is in the age groups of 12-16 and 16-19,” she said.
“Pupils use drugs during study hours, while they also include some students as little as eight-year-old,” it said. “At some schools the intoxicants are available at canteens, while addicted students also get them easily from street vendors.”
The shocking revelations left the members of the Senate committee horrified, who required an inquiry report into the matter within 15 days. The committee also called for the IG Islamabad and chief secretaries of the concerned departments.
“I declare war on drugs and appeal to civil society, politicians and media to play their due role for welfare of those suffering from addiction, and help save our coming generations,” Senator Rehman Malik said, while chairing the meeting.
“The schools, colleges and universities should take strict measures to have a check on drug-related activities on the campuses and should be made responsible to report to authorities,” he said.
