Lahore: Punjab University Centre for Clinical Psychology (CCP), in collaboration with the Phoenix Foundation, on Tuesday organized a stakeholders’ consultative meeting to formulate reformative strategies for drug demand reduction, bringing together senior government officials, health experts, academicians and researchers to discuss practical measures for tackling substance abuse in Pakistan.
Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali chaired the meeting, which was attended by Lahore Garrison University Vice Chancellor Maj. Gen. (R) Muhammad Khalil Dar, Director General Health Punjab Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Director Public Instructions (Colleges) Dr. Syed Ansar Azhar, Director Punjab Counter Narcotics Force Lt. Col. (R) Mehr Faisal Liaqat Lak, Executive Director Punjab Institute of Mental Health Prof. Dr. Ayesha Rashid, DCO Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, Director CCP Prof Dr Saima Dawood, representatives of the Higher Education and Home departments, as well as eminent academicians, clinicians and researchers from across the country.
Addressing the participants, Prof Dr Muhammad Ali thanked the stakeholders for highlighting the growing challenge of drug abuse and presenting practical proposals to protect society from what he termed a serious social menace.
Prof Dr Saima Dawood briefed the participants on the Centre’s ongoing initiatives aimed at achieving drug demand reduction targets and appreciated the support of the university administration and collaborating institutions. She also thanked the participants for their commitment to addressing one of the country’s most pressing social and mental health challenges.
Phoenix Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Noor Zaman Rafique and Rashida Saif Niazi outlined the objectives of the consultation, saying the meeting was convened to deliberate on practical and sustainable strategies for reducing drug demand in Pakistan.
The participants exchanged views, shared professional experiences and offered recommendations for developing coordinated and reform-oriented policies to strengthen drug demand reduction efforts across the country.