Anti-narcotics (amendments) Bill 2020 were filed on Tuesday in the National Assembly with the aim of limiting drug abuse in educational institutions through preventative legislation and stricter enforcement measures, Express News reported.
The bill submitted by MNA Sehar Kamran proposes to make drug abuse among students a criminal offense and associate university recordings with mandatory drug testing.
It also recommends that drug campaigns be implemented in schools, colleges and universities with institutions required to notify parents of suspected drug use.
According to the proposed law, medical testing for suspected students would only be allowed with custody and education and legal action could follow in confirmed cases.
The Bill also proposes to revise the curriculum to include the content of drug awareness and calls for specialized education to educate students about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
The legislation outlines responsibility for parents, teachers and students to combat drug use and include regulations on counseling and rehabilitation services for affected persons.
It also requires strict action against drug suppliers operating near educational campuses.
According to the bill, the primary goal is to protect students from addiction and ensure a healthier, safer academic environment that supports their future development.
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The move towards stricter legislation is based on the effort began a few years ago to tackle drug abuse in academic environment.
In 2022, officials from the Anti-Narcotics Force (anf) informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Drug Control on Operations on Educational Institutions.
The committee, led by MNA Salahuddin Ayubi, was informed that 160 kg of drugs had been recovered near schools, colleges and universities that year.
The seizures included 116 kg of hash, 18 kg of opium, nine kg of heroin and 7.5 kg of crystalmeth, with 63 suspects arrested during the targeted operations.
Anf’s conclusions reinforced legislators’ concerns and helped shape consensus to introduce mandatory drug testing as a condition of university recordings along with broader preventive measures.
