Daily Times

Sir: I am writing about the rising number of chronic drug addicts in Pakistan, which is among the highest in the world. These days it’s becoming more and more fashionable among the youngsters to dabble in drugs due to the negative influence of movies and TV shows that glorify the use of such dangerous narcotics by playing with our minds. These influences convince people that every hurdle can be easily handled by taking a drug, including ailments like depression, yet the truth is that they only lead to the decline of our cognitive abilities and are inherently harmful for society.

Drug addiction is defined as compulsive and out-of-control drug, use despite knowing about their negative consequences. In the last few decades, drug addiction has increased exponentially in Pakistan. Most of the drugs are illegally transported here from our neighbouring country of Afghanistan. According to the UN, an estimated eight lac people in the country are drug users, with Cannabis being the most widely used narcotic. The rate of injected drugs has also increased significantly in Pakistan, sparking fears of an HIV epidemic.

Usually, it is the youngsters who are the most affected by drugs and alcohol. Every individual, no matter where, has been affected by drugs and alcohol in some capacity or the other. Over 23 million people, mostly above 12 years of age, are drugs addicts who obviously in turn affect more people around them; like their parents, neighbours, siblings and friends etc. In Pakistan more than 8 lac people, between the ages of 15-64 are addicted to the use of heroin on a regular basis, as indicated by the US, and this is a shocking number no matter where you are in the world. While America has usually been considered as the country where the maximum volume of heroin is consumed, but some estimates suggest that the in Pakistan, around 44 tons of heroin is consumed every year, which is higher than the US.

A recent survey of 10 colleges and 2 universities of Lahore brought to light eye-opening facts related to drug abuse among the students. Of the students surveyed, 57% reported using one or more drugs sometime in their life. Other countries like India, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal also have drug dependents issues, but the rates in our country are considerably higher, which should be embarrassment for the drug enforcement authorities in Pakistan.

For many people struggling with addiction, the toughest step to their recovery is the very first one; when they recognize that they have a problem, and decide to make a change for the better. If you’re addicted to a prescription drug, you may be concerned about how you’re going to find an alternate way to treat you specific medical condition. It’s ok to feel torn. Committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including the way you deal with stress.

By writing to your esteemed newspaper, I hope to bring to light this huge problem facing us today, and I request the concerned authorities to regulate this issue before it becomes too late, as the youth is our country’s future, after all.

M HUMZA MASOOD

Karachi

Published in Daily Times, August 4^th 2018.