According to the global Commission on Drug Policy ,drug is any substance which has a negative effect on the mind and body of the individual. Drug addiction is a complicated neurobiological disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior , resulting in person’s inability to resist the urge to use drugs .
Pakistan is grappling with a proliferation of drug abuse and drug addiction problem , Easy availability of Cannabis , opium , heroin , and access to intravenous drug intervention has led to dire consequences in the country.
According to UN report released in OCTOBER 2022, 7.6 million people, comprising 78 percent males and 22 percent females are addicted to drugs .The most terrific truth is that majority of the addicts are heroine abusers under the age of 24 . The annual rise in the number of addicts is approximately 40,000. The report estimates that around 700 drug addicts die each day because of drug related health complications..
Poverty ,lack of awareness and education about harms of drugs , lack of employment, rampant joblessness , paucity of social safety nets ,bleak prospects of young people economic aggravation, stress, parents negligence , family issues ,toxic relationships , academic pressure , unwanted competition , changing social norms ,genetic make up , peer pressures and influences
are some important factors leading burgeoning of drug use and abuse in Pakistan . The menace of drug addiction is pervasive throughout the length and breadth of the country which poses formidable challenge to country’s social fabric .
Some other important factors include wide scale availability of drugs Which stems from the fact that Pakistan shares borders with Afghanistan from where Cannabis and heroin can be found and smuggled easily . Some studies reveal that Afghanistan Is a homeland for 75 percent of World’s heroin . Moreover 90 percent of world’s opium is cultivated in Helmand Province Of Afghanistan . As per various Reports drug trafficking spreads along Baluchistan , through seven or more critical drug paths. Hence Pakistan has become a conduit for smuggling of drugs from Afghanistan to the rest of the world .. Another reason for increase in drug use in Pakistan is that those in position of authority, power , wealth and control offer them full support . Resultantly U, Pakistan has become an importer and exporter of drugs . The political unrest in the country has further strengthened the mafia With opportunities to distribute narcotics across the country without any hindrance . In January 2023 it was revealed that 3,747 narcotics related cases were pending / under trial in Pakistan’s special courts and higher courts.Drug addiction and high prevalence Of drug abuse in Pakistan amongst young , old and adolescents , has sparked off a multidimensional crisis, presenting unprecedented threat to nations social fabric , resulting in grave public health crises. It is evident that drug addiction in Pakistan among youth is rising at a phenomenal pace .
Successive governments in Pakistan have not been oblivious to the proliferating drug addiction menace . There is no dearth of policies and plans in this regard and a special Ministry of Narcotics control has been in existence since 2002.The Anti Narcotics force has been in existence since1997 . All these plans especially the drug abuse control Master plan 2010–2014 has been gathering dust due to non implementation. The all encompassing ambitious plan ‘envisaged a drug free Pakistan by 2020. In short the plan envisages
Supply Reduction through strengthening law enforcement and demand reduction through Accelerated Initiatives’ . Its main strategies included Government’s policy and commitment along with NGO ‘s and International cooperation . In addition the cross cutting themes of this plan also includes. improved interagency coordination , resource development , Impact Assessment, performance monitoring and research studies analysis . The short and long term term strategies which are doable are candidly described in this plan .
Recommendations.
. A National Narcotic Council should be set up under Chairmanship of the Prime Minister to oversee the implementation Of existing Narcotic Control policies.
. Inter ministerial and inter agency coordination should be strongly strengthened . Ie .A strong liaison should be developed between Ministry’s of Narcotics , The Anti narcotics force (ANF), Interior, Information , Education , Higher Education , private school Associations And proper guidelines given to them along with establishment of a strong monitoring system .
. Poppy cultivation in the country should be dealt with an iron hand and the farmers be facilitated to grow other cash crops .
. The family , especially parents’s role is important to relate to the child directly , treating them as friends and guiding them .
.Relevant authorities and civil society need to take action to combat the phenomenon with more extensive and invasive interventions
.Effective awareness campaigns through print and electronic media must be launched on priority basis.
. Drug addiction and Rehabilitation Centers are required to be established by the government at Tehsil and town levels .
Counseling services by involving medical social workers should be provided to the young addicts .
. The writ of the government must be enforced with full vigor and focus should be on the implementation and up gradation of the existing plan in letter and spirit .
. Support of local and foreign NGO’s be enlisted to motivate the people to abide by law and educate them on the perils of drug addiction .