ISLAMABAD: Director General Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Maj Gen Nasir Dilawar Shah has said that narcotics are one of the biggest threats to human lives, health, properties, peace and stability. Estimates reveal that more than 500 deaths per day are caused by overdoses of illicit drugs. Moreover, there are around 246 million drug addicts worldwide and their families suffer from the miseries caused by illicit drugs. Statistics clearly show that damage caused by drugs to humanity in terms of lives, health, properties, peace and stability is much higher, more permanent and universal in nature than any other misery.
He expressed these views on International Drug Enforcement Conference. The conference was attended by representatives of 140 countries. DG ANF expressed gratitude to the government of Peru for hosting this meeting and also acknowledged the commitment of US drug enforcement administration for organizing the mega event.While addressing the occasion, DG ANFsaid that international cooperation is the pivotal element in regional / global concerted efforts. World must continue such enduring efforts to enrich teamwork among drug law enforcement agencies regionally and internationally through sharing of best practices, robust information sharing, staff training and enhancing cooperation / coordination involved in drug production and trafficking. He emphasized that issues lacking consensus may be selectively adopted as per the ground realities rather than universally imposed. No two countries and no two regions have similar environment.
Therefore there are no “one size fit all” solutions. Diversity in regional environment calls for regional and sub-regional approaches in accordance with the prevailing regional dictates and in conformity with the United Nations Conventions. DG ANF further added that International community ought to realize that despite scarcity of resources, the regional countries are doing their best. The finest way to eliminate drugs is to counter their production / manufacturing at source or closer to the source with stringent law enforcement.He re-affirmedresolve to all the regional countries in stemming out the menace of drugs from the region and extending full support to partners and international community.
The IDEC forum is organised annually, under the management of Drug Enforcement Administration of USA, which provides a platform for sharing of problems having regional and international dimensions. Fact remains, drugs inferno is engulfing the whole world irrespective of creed, cast, nationality, religion and social standing, hence require much more to be done than ever before.
