ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The 4th national narcotics control committee meeting has decided to organize a comprehensive awareness campaign against drug abuse through media to achieve better results.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) would be involved for the purpose.
The meeting decided that Ministry of Information would ensure telecast/print of public service messages on drug abuse as corporate responsibility.
Ministry of Information would also ensure involvement of Pakistan Television (PTV), Radio Pakistan and Associate Press of Pakistan (APP) to disseminate messages against harmful effects of drugs.
The Directorate of Electronic Media and Publication would also be involved in campaign against use of illicit drugs.
Ministry of Information would activate PEMRA and media houses to support anti-drug messages and telecast such messages on air as public service. It will also take up with media houses for using time slots under their policy. An update will be provided to Narcotics Control Division for record.
Regarding dissemination of awareness material, it was decided that Ministry of Narcotics Control/Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) would provide materials for creating awareness at Railway Stations and passengers coaches.
Ministry of Narcotics Control would share awareness material with Provincial governments and other stakeholders as well for its printing and dissemination.
The governments of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) would re-print awareness material shared by Narcotics Control Division for dissemination amongst the masses, it was further decided.
Provincial governments were provided material on harmful effects of drugs for proper dissemination on regular basis. Narcotics Control Division would provide further help whenever it is needed.
A detail report on dissemination of material would be provided to Narcotics Control Division.
