PESHAWAR: The provincial government has decided to start a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery programme on priority basis to free Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the menace of drugs.

The decision was taken in a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Riaz Khan Mahsud. Commissioner Peshawar Division and other senior officials attended the meeting.

A detailed briefing was given regarding the ongoing efforts under the “Drug Free Peshawar” programme. It was informed that under the public-private partnership, 4,800 drug addicts have so far been successfully treated and rehabilitated. These individuals are now leading normal lives.

The meeting decided that a full-scale rehabilitation and recovery programme will be launched soon across the province. Directions were issued to ensure 24 hour services at all rehabilitation centres.

It was made clear that only registered and standard rehabilitation centres will be allowed to operate. Strict action will be taken against unregistered, substandard or non-compliant centres.

The meeting also emphasised that recovered individuals should be fully reintegrated into society as useful citizens. All relevant departments have been directed to ensure close coordination so that effective measures continue against the drug menace.