Karachi police formulate anti-drug policy with educational institutions

Karachi's South Zone police have partnered with 22 universities and schools to create a comprehensive anti-drug policy, addressing the escalating problem of narcotics consumption within educational institutions. The policy aims to protect students from substance abuse and cultivate a safe, healthy, and drug-free learning environment.

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Recognising the need for a coordinated, proactive and sustainable response, the police have adopted this comprehensive anti-drug policy to safeguard students from substance abuse and foster a safe, healthy and drug-free educational environment.

According to South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza, the policy is built on principles of prevention, early intervention, parental engagement, rehabilitation, institutional accountability, and lawful enforcement. Its primary goals are to establish and maintain drug-free campuses, shield students from exposure to harmful substances, and educate them about the severe consequences of drug abuse.

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It aims to establish and maintain drug-free educational institutions, protect students from exposure to narcotics and other harmful substances, and promote awareness of the physical, psychological, social and legal consequences of substance abuse.

Strengthening collaboration among educational bodies, parents, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement is considered crucial for the policy's success. It seeks to facilitate early identification and support for students needing assistance, while also preventing the entry of drug suppliers and criminal elements into educational settings. The initiative also promotes responsible citizenship and healthy lifestyles.

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Besides facilitating the early identification, intervention, counselling and rehabilitation of students requiring assistance, the policy also aims to prevent the infiltration of drug supplies, peddlers and criminal elements into educational environments, and foster a culture of responsible citizenship, healthy lifestyles and positive personal development.

Under the new policy, educational institutions will form anti-drug committees involving staff, parents, and law enforcement. Regular seminars and awareness campaigns will highlight the dangers of drug abuse. A significant proposal includes requiring parents to sign a drug prevention consent form, authorizing educational institutions to conduct drug screenings. Institutions will also cooperate with police to identify individuals targeting students for drug-related activities. The South district police have already launched a "Campus Security and Substance Abuse Watch," including female officers, to enhance surveillance around schools.

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It has also been proposed that parents or legal guardians shall execute a drug prevention consent and responsibility declaration at the time of admission or readmission, authorising the educational institution to conduct reasonable and lawful drug-screening programmes.