ISLAMABAD – Ministry of Narcotics Control will maintain a database ofNon-Governmental Organization (NGOs/INGOs), working on drug prevention andtreatment,under a new National Anti-Narcotics Policy-2019.
Their periodic assessment of performance will be undertaken through arobust monitoring mechanism to ascertain efficacy which will then reflectupon extension of registration or cancellation of initial registration.
The policy-2019 document showed that all NGOs (InternationalNon-Governmental Organization (NGOs or local/internationaldonors/charitable organizations working on drug and controlled substanceabuse (prevention/treatment/rehabilitation/awareness raising) in Pakistanshall be registered with the relevant Ministry.
In this regard, the Ministry of Narcotics Control will develop SOPs relatedto registration and functioning.
The document further revealed that being a social evil, the problem of drugaddiction is also being dealt by Non-Governmental Organizations of bothlocal and foreign origin.
Owing to sensitivity of the matter, it is all more important to assesscompetence and capability of person undertaking the task of runningtreatment and rehabilitation centres on grounds including mobilizingsupport of private sector and relevant NGOs to promote drug treatment,care, rehabilitation and reintegration facilities.
Develop, by end of 2019, a unified/standardized protocols and evidencebased treatment guidelines for Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres in thecountry toadopt and practice.
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The Ministry of Narcotics Control will establish a mechanism to registerall such centers that meet laid down/approved standards and guidelines.The Centers so recognized will be recognized treatment Centers by federaland provincial governments.
It also needs to be ascertained that whether or not these organizations areperforming the said task in line with international best Practices besidesobserving traditional sensitivities of Pakistani society.
For this reason it will be mandatory for all such NGOs/INGOs, aspiring toregister with Ministry of Narcotics Control.
The policy document revealed that after preliminary screening and detailedscrutiny, a Registration Certificate will be awarded to the organization ifit is found eligible in all respects.
Upon registration such NGOs/INGOs will be eligible to seek fundingopportunities from local or international sources in order to carry outtheir operations.
