KARACHI:
A recent report revealed that drug abuse had significantly increased during the pandemic, particularly among the youth. According to the Anti-Narcotics Force, students from well-known educational institutes across the country complained of drug usage within the premises of institutes. Despite being removed by the police, drug dealers are still active outside educational institutes.
Statistics reveal that among the estimated nine million drug users in the country, at least two million are between the ages of 15 to 25. The younger generation is more likely to fall victim to harmful behaviour based on social media trends and peer pressure. It usually starts as a one-off activity but becomes a daily habit and before teenagers know it, they are addicted to the substance. Students often use different drugs to cope with academic pressure or to boost their performance during exams. Even school-going children are now consuming dangerous substances.
Substance abuse does not only impact the users themselves but also their families and society at large. Victims of drug abuse are faced with both physical and mental health issues and require comprehensive rehabilitation. Otherwise, they remain trapped in a vicious circle of abuse. The growing number of drug users will become a serious challenge for the country as the government will be required to invest significant resources into combatting the issue whilst losing out on potential labour. Therefore, the relevant authorities should work with law enforcement agencies to root out the menace effectively. Parents should remain vigilant of their children’s behaviour. Educational institutes can also play a crucial role in maintaining a check on students’ activities on campuses and hostels.
Tehreem Asad
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2022.
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