Punjab govt announces to introduce drug testing of school students

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for School Education Murad Raas on Tuesday announced that the provincial government has decided to introduce drug testing of students under the campaign against drug abuse in educational institutions.

During a press conference, he said the reports of the tests will be shared with parents of the students of all the public and private schools.

Murad Raas said the Punjab government along with the health department and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has devised a plan to execute the campaign and collect the drug tests reports.

He said reports of use of ice (meth) at educational institutes has been received by the authorities. He said the health department officials would visit all the schools to review the situation and get affidavits from the chief executive officers (CEOs) of the district education authorities (DEAs) about making schools in their jurisdictions drug-free.

The education minister said if any child was tested positive, action would be taken against the CEO of that area.

He relayed that the education ministry has directed all the deputy commissioners of the province to close ‘Paan’ shops within 500 yard radius of any educational institute.

Murad Raas said the government would implement the order of the Supreme Court and its deadline would end on February 13 (today).

He said latest computer technology would be used to improve the student-teacher ratio.

He said unregistered private schools will be closed down by April 12.