Islamabad, 26 October 2022 (TDI): The National Drug Use Survey 2022-2024 of Pakistan has been launched in the capital on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Narcotics Control, the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) jointly launched the National Drug Use Survey Pakistan.
The US Deputy Chief of Mission, Andrew J. Schofer attended the event and gave remarks at the launching of the survey.
This survey will compile data based on evidence related to changing drug use patterns. This will allow the implementation of programs to save lives.
National Drug Use Survey
The launch of the National Drug Use Survey was chaired by Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, and co-chaired by Federal Secretary Humaira Ahmed.
The event was also attended by other government officials, development partners, private-sector partners, representatives of the international community, UN agencies’ partners, diplomats, academia, and Ambassadors.
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The Federal Minister for Narcotics Control appreciated the technical assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
He also thanked the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for financial support.
Remarks by US’ Deputy Chief Mission
The US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew J. Schofer thanked the participants. He said, “Through this project, the US Embassy’s international narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will support the government of Pakistan.
It will provide evidence-based information to shed light on changing patterns of drug use to allow for stronger implementation of programs and refinement of policies.”
He shed light on the importance of a National Drug Use Survey and reaffirmed US efforts in reducing drug demand in Pakistan. He also highlighted the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistan bilateral relations.
“I am pleased to share with you that this year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the partnership between the United States and Pakistan.
The US government through INL has invested more than 1 billion dollars over the last 40 years to improve citizen security and enhance law enforcement capacity across Pakistan”, he concluded.
