KARACHI: A federal sensitive agency has raised alarm over the growing trend of drug use among students across Sindh’s educational institutions, urging the provincial government to take immediate and strict measures to curb the menace before it escalates into a long-term national crisis.
According to sources, the agency has written a confidential letter to the Sindh chief secretary, cautioning that narcotics use is spreading at an alarming rate, particularly in schools, colleges, and universities.
The letter termed the situation a “serious threat” to the positive development of youth, warning that unchecked drug addiction would have damaging repercussions for society and the country’s future.
The agency has recommended launching a comprehensive national-level campaign to create awareness against drugs, calling for the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, especially the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), in a coordinated strategy. It also outlined a set of six specific measures to counter the growing problem.
The proposed measures are: making it mandatory for all public and private educational institutions to conduct awareness campaigns on drug prevention for students, faculty, and parents; introducing strict monitoring mechanisms within campuses to prevent easy access to drugs; conducting mandatory drug tests at the time of admission in colleges and universities to discourage habitual users from seeking enrolment; carrying out random drug tests among students and imposing heavy penalties in case of positive reports; publicly exposing students found involved in drug abuse while simultaneously offering psychological counselling and rehabilitation programmers; and hiring professional psychologists in educational institutions and increasing extracurricular activities to keep students engaged in healthy pursuits throughout the academic year.
The agency further stressed that awareness campaigns should not remain symbolic but should be institutionalised with year-round activities ensuring maximum student participation.
Sources in the Sindh government told The News that following the warning, the provincial chief secretary has directed the secretaries of School Education and College Education departments to immediately launch an anti-drug campaign across the province.
Officials confirmed that the provincial government was now considering a multi-pronged strategy, including collaboration with ANF, strict campus surveillance, and parental engagement to combat what is increasingly being seen as a grave threat to the younger generation.
Published in The News on September 18, 2025.