Drug abuse:SAARC nations to focus on education, empowerment

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) SAARC countries have decided to focus on educational programmes for children and empowerment of women and other vulnerable groups in their fight against drug abuse.

They have also agreed for sharing of expenses and infrastructure and also the best practices in tackling the problem.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of Experts of the countries on Drug Demand Reduction inaugurated by the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Veena Chhotray here.

She said that a national survey had been done in India some years ago with various epidemiological as well as focussed thematic components, but there was a need for more representative and in depth study to have authentic data about the extent pattern and trends of drug abuse.

The meeting finalised the recommendations for implementation by relevant SAARC bodies for awareness generation and counselling interventions and rehabilitation of drug abuse victims.

The delegations identified the key areas of common concern for member countries.

A decison was also taken to follow this meeting with a Ministerial level meeting of the countries.

Delegates of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lankabriefed the meeting on the actions being taken in their respective countries to reduce demand for drug and rehabilitate victims of drug abuse.

UNI