UoS holds anti-drug awareness seminar

SARGODHA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Apr, 2026) The University of Sargodha (UoS) on Tuesday organized a seminar to create

awareness among youth about the harmful effects of narcotics and promoting

the vision of a drug-free, healthy and safe Punjab.

The seminar was arranged by the Directorate of Student Affairs in collaboration

with the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF). Director CNF Sargodha Division

Lt. Col. (R) Jawad Masood attended the seminar as a chief guest.

Director Student Affairs Dr. Mehmoodul Hassan, Chairperson Department of

Islamic Studies Prof. Dr. Ferozuddin Shah, faculty members, staff and a large

number of students were also present.

Addressing the participants, Lt. Col. (R) Jawad Masood described drug abuse

as a growing societal challenge, particularly among young people. Citing the United

Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Drug Report 2020, he said around 7.6 million

people in Pakistan were drug addicts, including 2.6 million youth, while approximately

one million women were also affected.

He added that 45 per cent of drug addicts belong to Punjab, and nearly 67 per cent

fall within the 15 to 35 age group, with a significant proportion comprising students.

He termed the fight against narcotics “more difficult than a war zone” due to the scale

of youth involvement, stressing that safeguarding the future of young people was a

collective responsibility.

Lt. Col. Masood emphasized the role of social responsibility in curbing drug abuse,

urging students to discourage peers from engaging in harmful activities. “True friendship

lies in preventing others from going astray rather than becoming part of the problem,” he said,

questioning why peer pressure could not be channelled in a positive direction.

He also highlighted the importance of acknowledging addiction as a problem and supporting

affected individuals through rehabilitation instead of isolating them. “Drug addiction should

not be treated as a stigma; rather, society must help individuals recover,” he said.

He further briefed participants on various types of drugs and their associated health risks,

reiterating the message: “Say no to drugs.”

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ferozuddin Shah shed light on the issue from an Islamic

perspective, stating that drug addiction not only destroys individuals but also devastates

families and society at large.

He explained that islam prohibits all substances that impair human intellect, regardless of quantity,

and underscored the importance of safeguarding five fundamental objectives of human life: faith,

life, intellect, honour and social order.

“Any substance that clouds the mind is forbidden. Loss of intellect deprives a person of their

true essence and dignity,” he said, adding that drug abuse leads to moral, social and economic

decline, often pushing individuals towards extreme actions, including suicide.

He noted that educational institutions serve as key centers for awareness and character building,

and losing these core human values ultimately renders life purposeless.

The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where students actively

participated, shared their views and sought guidance from the speakers.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the mission of a narcotics-free Punjab, emphasizing

that empowering youth and collective efforts were essential to effectively combat drug abuse.