KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that the root cause of suicide, road accidents and cyber crimes is ‘drug abuse,’ and therefore the entire nation must unite for its control and reduction.

Addressing a programme organised at the Ministry on Sunday in the context of celebrating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Home Minister stated that there is a need to reduce and control drug abuse with the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders.

Referring to an instance where drivers have started using drugs after the police started testing for alcohol abuse, he said, “Considering the situation of the trafficking, storage, and consumption of drugs, which every year causes irreparable damage to the country with significant human and financial loss, it is essential that there is cooperation and collaboration between the relevant government and non-government organisations and the civil society.”

The Home Minister emphasised that it is essential for family members, including parents, schools, and local authorities, to pay special attention in order to effectively prevent and reduce the misuse of narcotic drugs and their illegal trafficking. He requested everyone to make this year’s national observance of the Day, which will be celebrated from June 20 to 26, result-oriented, just like during the previous years.

Stressing that individuals themselves should be aware and alert to reduce and control the negative effects of drug abuse in society, the Home Minister expressed the need for regular interaction between parents and teachers in schools, the inclusion of drug-related topics in the school curriculum, the necessity to break the network and vicious network associated with this that is troubling the entire nation. He also spoke of the need to conduct an awareness campaign against substance abuse and its trafficking as a movement.

On the occasion, representatives from various organizations suggested that potential sites for drug abuse, such as schools and hostels, should be monitored closely, maximum action should be taken against those involved in drug trade, separate classes related to drugs should be arranged even at the local level, creative programmes such as street plays and essay competitions related to the perils of drug abuse should be organized, strict action should be arranged for drivers using drugs, nationwide awareness programmes against drug abuse and illegal trafficking should be conducted, and alertness should be adopted regarding narcotics trafficking that could occur across open borders.

Official statistics indicate that each year, 134,000 people die in Nepal due to substance abuse, but it was stated in the programme today that more than half a million deaths occur due to this.