A million dollar question arises as to why this drug and others are so easily available in our society
BAJAUR AGENCY: Hashish is a common drug used by people as a tool for intoxication and is very dangerous for health. It is made commonly in Afghanistan and in its adjacent rural areas of Pakistan. It is smoked mostly by the young generation and very easily available in our society. Drug addiction among the youth is rising with each passing day. Hashish addiction is at the top, owing to teenage smoking in our country. It has become increasingly common that it is no longer really considered a drug by the populace. About 90 per cent of the addicts are between the ages of 14 and 17. Nowadays, even students and the educated youth are involved in this deadly and destructive activity. Hashish is also smoked inside academic institutions and in private hostels across the country. Many addicts live in private hostels.
Medically, anything that is used for intoxication is lethal and murderous. The effects of hashish on human physiology are little understood by society. It may damage the brain, cause insomnia, fatigue and may induce violent behaviour. Some of the most heinous of crimes are committed by drug addicts in our country. As often happens with drug abusers, they are involved in street crimes, including mobile phone snatching, swindling, pick-pocketing and even robberies and murders in order to meet their drug expenses.
A million dollar question arises as to why this drug and others are so easily available in our society. Is there no law against these things? Why are sellers and peddlers not punished by the government and local administrations of the country? There should be parental concern and school guidance, and the government should pay attention so we can save the lives of our young generation. Our religious scholars must alert people about the prohibition on these drugs. The government and civil society organisations should arrange campaigns to spread awareness and make people understand the disastrous effects of such pernicious things.
Attaur Rahman Toorkhel
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2016.
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