peshawar, as the fourth phase of the “drug-free peshawar” campaign progresses, the number of drug addicts taken into custody has exceeded 600, according to officials. the initiative, aimed at cleansing the city’s public areas of drug addiction and restoring order, is showing significant results.
commissioner peshawar division, riaz khan mehsud, accompanied by deputy commissioner sarmad salim akram, conducted a late-night inspection of various known hotspots. the inspection revealed that most of these previously occupied areas were now largely vacant, indicating the success of recent operations.
“we have managed to clear key areas that had become open drug dens,” said commissioner mehsud, expressing satisfaction over the visible impact of the campaign.
medical examinations of those currently in rehabilitation centers are underway. health officials have begun collecting blood samples from detainees to test for 29 different drug substances. this testing will help design targeted treatment strategies for individual patients based on the substances they consumed.
beyond drug screening, the medical assessments also include tests for hiv/aids and other infectious diseases. authorities have established separate wards in rehabilitation facilities for patients who test positive for these conditions, to ensure proper care and limit transmission risks.
commissioner mehsud emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring and directed administrative officers to visit rehabilitation centers daily, at varying times, to oversee the progress and ensure adequate support is being provided to recovering patients.
“it’s not just about removing addicts from public spaces,” he said. “we must ensure they are treated with dignity, and supported medically and emotionally during their recovery.”
the campaign continues to receive support from law enforcement, healthcare workers, and the city’s administration as they work together to combat substance abuse and reintegrate individuals back into society.
