A high-level meeting between educational and narcotics control authorities has highlighted an urgent need to reframe anti-drug strategy, with a key proposal suggesting that students addicted to narcotics should be treated as victims in need of counselling and rehabilitation rather than as offenders.
According to a HEC statement today, the call for a more empathetic approach came during a review session at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat, chaired by acting HEC Chairman, Mr. Nadeem Mahbub. The meeting was convened to assess the progress of measures aimed at preventing drug usage in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and to plan future actions.
Attendees included a team from the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) led by Brigadier Imran, senior officials from the HEC, and representatives from the Federal Directorate of Education. Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore, and Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Bazai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Balochistan, participated via video link, offering crucial provincial and private-sector insights.
Presenting a successful blueprint from his own institution, Dr. Yusuf detailed BNU’s multi-pronged strategy and student-support systems. He strongly advocated for a shift in perspective, where addicted students are supported through counselling and rehabilitation services.
Participants reached a consensus on the necessity of a more coherent and unified approach. The dialogue underscored that while enforcement is a critical deterrent, long-term success depends on fostering a supportive campus culture where students feel empowered to discuss the mental health or social challenges that often precipitate drug addiction.
Mahbub lauded the efforts of the ANF and reaffirmed the commitment of higher education leadership to establish a robust, long-term mechanism. He stated that the collective goal, alongside the ANF and other stakeholders, is to transform educational institutions into secure environments focused on intellectual growth and the holistic well-being of the next generation.
The Chairman announced that follow-up meetings would be organised shortly to strategize on the new proposals. ‘The upcoming phase will aim to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that future efforts are not only more robust but also deeply practical and meaningful,’ he said.