Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said Sunday that the provincial government will conduct random drug testing in schools to address the growing use of narcotics among children.
Speaking to the media in Karachi, Memon said drug abuse had become a global problem and a major concern across Pakistan. “Unfortunately, we have not taken narcotics seriously,” he said.
Memon said several rehabilitation centers were being developed, but described the situation as a serious challenge for the government.
Referring to a recent incident in Karachi, he said a drug-addicted child had opened fire on family members. “When these people become zombies due to narcotics, they go beyond anyone’s control,” Memon said.
The senior minister said many people had turned narcotics into a profitable business, adding that breaking this network was the responsibility of the government.
“I do not want to name anyone, but this is an entire network,” he said, adding that naming individuals would only lead to social media memes.
Memon also referred to a suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinky, calling her a woman involved in selling “poison” that was costing precious lives every day.
He urged the media not to glamorize the issue and said parents currently carry the biggest responsibility in protecting children from drug abuse.
“I am not talking about one government alone, but the entire country,” Memon added.
