ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs will today (Tuesday) consider the Narcotic Drugs Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a key piece of legislation aimed at tackling drug use in educational institutions by further amending the Narcotic Drugs Control Act, 1997.
Introduced by PPP MNA Sahar Kamran, the proposed legislation aims to prevent drug use in educational institutions, promote rehabilitation of students, protect mental health and introduce a treatment-based approach instead of a penal system.
Following the bill, new sections 53A, 53B and 53C are proposed to be added to the law. According to proposed Section 53A, candidates seeking admission to higher secondary level or higher educational institutions may voluntarily undergo non-invasive drug screening.
Drug testing will only be conducted by accredited medical institutions and strictly with the written and informed consent of the candidate.
It is clear from the bill that a positive drug test result alone cannot be used as a reason to refuse admission. In such cases, the candidate will receive a confidential medical assessment and may be referred to rehabilitation or rehabilitative programs with consent.
The government will be responsible for providing counselling, rehabilitation and mental health facilities to such students free of charge.
Under proposed Section 53B, it will be mandatory for every public and private educational institution to appoint at least one trained faculty member or staff member as a student advisor.
The study advisor will be responsible for raising awareness of the harms of drug use, addiction and mental health problems.
The educational institutions will also be required to establish confidential support mechanisms for students and, in collaboration with health institutions, provide mental health services on campus.
