Anti-drug talk held at IoBM

The Institute of Business Management organized an Anti-Drug talk session on December 26, 2023. The objective was to inculcate awareness against the illicit use of drugs and the consequences of drug abuse. Col. Shakirullah, Joint Director Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) Sindh and Dr. Sana Aslam, Clinical Psychologist from ANF addressed the students, faculty members, and management staff. Dr. Sana Aslam delivered a comprehensive and informative speech that was keenly listened to and positively reacted to by the audience.

During the question and answer session, students asked pertinent questions regarding the spread and illegitimate use of drugs and narcotics among the young generation of Pakistan, particularly students from universities, colleges, and schools. It was observed that efforts for effective law enforcement should be coordinated and focused on to prevent and curb the smuggling/distribution of illegal drugs/narcotics. Youth in cities such as Karachi and Lahore are comparatively much affected by multiple levels of trafficking and the use of banned drugs/narcotics. It was also noted that parents can play a significant role in this regard by closely monitoring their children. Moreover, the activities of the youth need to be essentially observed and timely action must be taken to save the young generation from the menace of drug abuse/narcotic addiction. At the conclusion, Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Muhammad Abbas, Dean, of the College of Computer Science and Information Systems (CCSIS) and Chairman Anti-Drug/Smoking Committee, IoBM presented a vote of thanks to the speakers for imparting valuable information during this talk.

The Anti-Drug talk session at IoBM focused particularly on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. SDG 3 promotes health and well-being for all, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and the prevention of substance abuse, both of which were key focuses during the session. The efforts by IoBM to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among youth resonate with the global mission to curb illicit drug use, a critical component of achieving better public health outcomes.
Furthermore, SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and the building of strong institutions, is evident through the collaborative involvement of the Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) and university leadership. The session highlighted the need for law enforcement and community engagement to tackle drug trafficking and related crimes, ensuring a safer environment for young people, especially in urban areas like Karachi and Lahore. These efforts not only safeguard the well-being of the youth but also strengthen societal frameworks to address such pressing issues.
In line with these goals, educational institutions like IoBM play a pivotal role in driving societal change, promoting SDG-aligned initiatives, and fostering awareness and action on pressing challenges such as drug abuse.