Federal Minister of Interior and Anti-Narcotics, Mohsin Naqvi, has approved the long-awaited National Drug Survey in Pakistan, marking its first conduct in eleven years.
Chairing a meeting of the Committee for National Drug Survey, Naqvi emphasized the survey’s importance in gathering comprehensive and accurate data on drug usage nationwide.
“Ensuring the authenticity and thoroughness of the National Drug Survey is crucial. The data collected will serve as a valuable asset for informed decision-making and policy formulation,” Naqvi stated during the meeting.
Instructing officials to gather data from diverse locations including homes, educational institutions, and slums, Naqvi underscored the survey’s role in safeguarding the nation’s future against the scourge of narcotics.
“There can be no compromise in our efforts against narcotics. This is a critical issue affecting the well-being of our society,” Naqvi affirmed, emphasizing the survey’s strategic importance.
Naqvi directed ministry authorities to expedite the survey-related processes and ensure their completion within a tight deadline of 15 days. He specified that the Anti-Narcotics Force and the Statistics Bureau of Pakistan should collaborate closely to finalize the survey’s methodology, data requirements, sample formats, and timelines.
Highlighting the need for international cooperation, Naqvi urged engagement with international development organizations to enhance the survey’s effectiveness and scope.
The last National Drug Survey conducted in Pakistan dates back to 2013, making this upcoming initiative a critical step towards addressing current drug-use trends and implementing targeted interventions to combat narcotics proliferation effectively.
