On World Children’s Day in Islamabad, NCRC CAP members organised an interactive session that used drama and expert discussion to highlight the dangers of substance abuse and the pressure children can face.
The activity opened with a compelling dramatic portrayal in which school-aged participants acted out a scene showing how peer pressure can lure a young person into trying harmful substances. The short performance captured the familiar line ‘just try it once’ and illustrated how subtle social influence can lead to risky decisions.
Dr. Tayyab Faheem Tahir, a demonstrator in Community Medicine, then led an interactive dialogue on how substance abuse affects the brain and body. He explained immediate and long-term physical and psychological consequences and answered children’s questions to help them understand the health risks and the importance of making informed choices.
Valarie Khan Yousafzai, Child Rights Expert and Technical Advisor at NCRC, reflected on the wider social impact of substance abuse, describing how it harms families, weakens community cohesion and threatens social stability. She emphasised the shared responsibility of parents, schools and community leaders to protect children from these risks.
A former inspector general of police addressed the legal consequences of involvement with harmful substances, outlining how such actions can derail education, limit opportunities and lead to serious repercussions that affect a young person’s future prospects.
The session combined peer-led drama, medical explanation and legal perspective to give participants practical knowledge and confidence. By confronting substance abuse openly and equipping youth with facts and supportive guidance, organisers aimed to strengthen prevention efforts and encourage collective action to safeguard children’s well-being.
