Week-long campaign against drug abuse starts

Kathmandu / June 20: A week-long campaign against drug abuse has been launched today on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26 every year.

As part of the occasion, various programmes will be held in the federal, provincial and local levels, informed Secretary of Home Ministry Prem Kumar Rai at a press meet organised here today.

Likewise, awareness programmes, interaction on ways to control illegal drug use and discussions on making policies, acts and directives against illegal drugs will be held.

Marijuana and opium farming will also be destroyed, said Joint Secretary of the Ministry Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi.

A special programme will be held in the Capital on June 26 on the occasion in the presence of Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’.

This year’s slogan for the Day is ‘Commitment of healthy, strong and prosperous Nepal: Solidarity against drug abuse-related crimes’.

Speaking at the conference, Secretary Rai stressed the need for all to come together against drug abuse and trafficking which is challenging the society and the country as a whole.

Referring to the number of drug users increasing by 11 per cent every year, he also informed that the Ministry has a plan to bring down the rate to five to seven per cent this year.