Cross-border drug trafficking can hardly be stopped, no matter how large a force is employed.
HARIPUR: The alarming levels of drug production in Afghanistan are the main determinants of the widespread use of drugs not only in Pakistan but the world over. Afghanistan is producing almost 74 per cent of the world’s opium and is the largest producer of cannabis. The smuggling of precursor chemicals to Afghanistan also poses threats to Pakistan. Spillover effects on the Pakistani society being a transit country are an obvious phenomenon, as rampant drug use has been ravaging Pakistan’s national fabric since war has struck the ill-fated country.
Being a transit country, Pakistan is subjected to the use of drugs as well. An estimated six per cent or 6.45 million of the population in Pakistan aged between 15 and 64 used drugs in the last 12 months with cannabis being the most commonly used drug among the populations of addicts. There are over 1.1 million opium users in Pakistan with most of the users of this drug are between 20 and 30 years of age. Along with these disturbing facts, there is also a rising trend of addiction to an amphetamine type stimulant, ecstasy, cocaine, MDMA (methylenedioxy methamphetamine), psychotropic substances and crystal meth that is a further cause of worry for us.
Owing to a porous border, poor border management and availability of numerous frequented routes, a huge quantity of drugs have proliferated into Pakistan from Afghanistan. Cross-border drug trafficking can hardly be stopped, no matter how large a force is employed, unless optimum border control measures are put in place. The two strategic issues of drug production and poor border management have seldom been taken up with the Afghan government; this negligence is a serious weakness on our part. Given the seriousness of the situation, Pakistan should remain cognisant of its responsibility to counter the drug menace through a three-pronged strategy — supply reduction through invigorated and strengthened law enforcement, demand reduction through accelerated initiatives and international cooperation.
Qaiser Shah
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2014.
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