SAARC countries favours educational programmes for children

To check drug abuse in the region, representatives of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries have favoured educational programmes for children and empowerment programmes for women and other vulnerable groups.

Representatives of SAARC countries--Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka made the suggestions at the day-long meeting on Drug Demand Reduction Rehabilitation of Victims of Drug Abuse yesterday, PTI reported here today quoting official sources.

Veena Chhotray, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the meeting which discussed issues of common concern relating to drug abuse in the SAARC region and underlined the need for concerted effort to fight the menace.

Though a national survey had been conducted in India some years ago with various epidemiological as well as focussed thematic components, she said there was a need for more representative and in-depth study for authentic data on extent, pattern and trends of drug abuse.

Delegates from other SAARC countries also briefed the meeting on the actions being taken in their respective countries to reduce demand for drugs and rehabilitate the victims of drug abuse.

The meeting finalised recommendations for implementation by relevant SAARC bodies for awareness generation, counselling intervention and rehabilitation of drug-abuse victims.