Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula (File Photo)
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has asked all concerned to extend support to the government in tackling rising drug abuses in the country. Stating that the problem of drug abuses is a social problem, minister Sitaula said only the formulation and enforcement of laws cannot curb the problem.

Addressing a function organised by the home ministry on the occasion of the anti-drug day today, home secretary Umesh Mainali highlighted the importance of public awareness on implications of drug abuses and role of the parents to discourage their children from such activities.

He said awareness at the local level would be effective for controlling the problem.

Actors Rajesh Hamal and Bipana Thapa, who have been recently appointed as goodwill ambassadors against drug abuses expressed their willingness to support the programme considering it their responsibility.

Data published by the home ministry today states that there are around 46,400 Intravenous Drug Users (IDU). Out of this, 17,458 are in Kathmandu alone and three-fourths of them are below 30 years of age. However, anti-drug campaigners estimate the number of IDUs to be over 150,000.