MUSHARRAF RALLIES NATION IN WAR ON DRUG ABUSE

ISLAMABAD-As he urged the nation on in its war against drug abuse and
trafficking, President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday said the challenges
were global in nature and therefore merited globally coordinated response.

In his special proclamation on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Trafficking, the President reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to
eradicating the evil from its soil.

"Having successfully met the challenge of poppy eradication, Pakistan today
joins the world community on the occasion of the International Day against
Drug Abuse and Trafficking with a sense of pride and accomplishment",
Musharraf said.

The President underlined the need for creating awareness among the people
about the dangers of drug abuse and the ways to avoid it.

"In this regard it is imperative that relevant government agencies chalk
out and implement awareness programs effectively and intelligently".

Musharraf exulted that the Pakistan's efforts assisted by various local and
foreign organizations were quoted as a success story but still a lot needed
to be done to combat the multifarious threats of drug abuse and trafficking.

"On this occasion I would like to reiterate that besides steps to eradicate
drug abuse, measures are being taken to rehabilitate drug addicts and to
ensure that they do not relapse to drug use", the President said.

He urged the nation to collectively wage a war against this social menace
saying, "I also take this opportunity to call upon the entire nation to
join this noble endeavor and hope hat the international community would
further strengthen its cooperation with Pakistan to achieve the desired
results." The President also commended the untiring efforts of Narcotics
Control Board, Anti Narcotics Force and all concerned agencies in Pakistan
in ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking.