- Parents bear the greatest responsibility at the moment
- Rehabilitation centers face serious operational challenges
- Media urged against glamorizing drug issues
KARACHI: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Sunday said the provincial government would conduct rapid random drug tests in schools to tackle rising drug use among children.
“Unfortunately, we have not taken drugs seriously,” Memon said while addressing the media in Karachi, adding that drug addiction had become a global problem and a major concern across Pakistan.
He said more rehabilitation centers were under development, but termed the situation a “challenge” for the government. Referring to a recent incident in Karachi, Memon said a drug-addicted child had opened fire on family members.
“When these people become zombies because of drugs, they go beyond anybody’s control,” he said.
The senior minister said many people had turned drugs 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 a whole network,” he said, adding that naming individuals would only result in memes on social media.
Memon also referred to a suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinky, calling her a woman involved in selling “poison” that was costing precious lives daily.
He urged the media not to glamorize the issue, saying parents currently bear the biggest responsibility to protect children from drug addiction.
“I am not talking about one government alone but the entire country,” Memon added.
