Experts at a seminar on Tuesday called for stepped up efforts to root out menace of drug addiction from the society as eight million people in the country are drug addicts.

Experts at a seminar on Tuesday called for stepped up efforts to root out menace of drug addiction from the society as eight million people in the country are drug addicts. They addressed a seminar titled "war on drugs: awareness session" arranged by Yong Development Corps, Senior Tutor Office, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at Iqbal Auditorium which was attended by hundreds of the students. Addressing on the occasion, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that there was a need to create the awareness among the masses about the menace of the addiction which is playing havoc with the lives of the people. He called for promoting the healthy activities sports in the youth which was declining in the country. He said that University had taken tangible steps and promoting no tolerance against drug addiction at the campus. He said that smoking and sale of cigarette is strictly banned. He pointed out that the vigilance committees under the director students affairs office had been constituted to nab the people involved in any drug addiction crime in the varsity. He said that most of the drug addicts start taking the drugs by seeking recreation, leading to this anti-social habit. Eventually, the body demanded frequent use. After that a time comes, when one can no longer function normally without the influence of such drugs. He said that the drugs was taking the souls of the addicts and making them useless and a burden on the society. He added that the university was making the conscious efforts to promote the healthy efforts and to create the awareness for rooting out the menace. Renowned medical doctor Dr Asif Bajwa psychiatrist said that eight million people in the country had fell into drug addiction and the numbers were continuously increasing day by day. He added that either curiosity to take addicts or peer pressure from friends created intention of youth to use the drug addiction. He informed audience that drug adductors always demanded more toxin than ever. He lamented that usage of Shesha was becoming common in the youth and some of the shesha sellers are using the heroin in it that leads one towards a death. He said that the drugs addiction is like terrorism which is responsible for taking the lives of the innocent people. He suggested strict legislations over the drug addiction and the drug sellers and pushers must be dealt with iron hands. Dr Ather Javed said that the awareness about the effects of drugs addiction was prerequisite to end the menace. He said that the culprits promoting the drugs activities must be brought to the book. We will have to motivate those plunge into drug addiction to get rid from this menace to return to their normal lives . Dr Asim Aqeel, Dr Binish Asad and other notables also spoke.