Peshawar, Two comprehensive action plans aimed at rehabilitating drug addicts and preventing drug addiction have been approved in Peshawar. The initiatives, endorsed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, focus on addressing the challenges of narcotics in the provincial capital.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the meeting led to the establishment of a special task force to enforce the anti-narcotics actions. Measures include the rehabilitation of approximately two thousand drug addicts, involving special operations to prevent drug distribution and utilization of private sector rehabilitation centers.

The rehabilitative process is set to span four months, followed by a two-month period of technical and vocational training for the rehabilitated individuals. A six-month follow-up with their families is also planned, ensuring sustained recovery. Additionally, efforts to curb drug use in educational institutions include launching an awareness campaign and conducting confidential general screenings of students, with results shared only with parents. The overall rehabilitation efforts are projected to cost 326 million rupees.