The Sindh government has introduced a major initiative to address the growing issue of drug use in educational institutions by implementing medical screenings for students.

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The screenings will initially be conducted in public colleges across Sindh, as outlined in a formal notification issued by Secretary of College Education, Asif Ikram. A three-member committee has been formed within the College Education Department to oversee this effort. The committee comprises the Director General of Colleges Sindh, the Regional Director of the respective district, and the principal of the concerned college.

According to the notification, the committee’s Terms of Reference (TORs) empower medical screening teams to make unannounced visits to any public college. The College Education Department will support these teams, which are authorized to conduct medical tests on students as needed.

Speaking to Express News, Dr Naveed Rabb, Director General of Colleges Sindh, confirmed that health department teams will handle the screenings. Discussions are ongoing with the health department to finalize the criteria for selecting colleges and determining the parameters for the screenings.

Dr Naveed also noted that strategies to encourage student participation in the screenings are being developed. He emphasized that the Sindh government’s Anti-Narcotics Department, along with other relevant agencies, is collaborating on this initiative to eliminate drug use in educational institutions.

In addition to the screenings, the notification highlights plans to conduct seminars, workshops, and awareness sessions in colleges. These activities aim to educate students about the dangers of drug use and its negative effects on their education and future prospects.

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