Drug peddling continues despite crackdowns

FIRs have been registered but no serious measures have been taken to eliminate abuse

LAHORE: Despite tall claims made by the police, the drug trade network in the provincial capital remains unchecked. The continuation of drug pushing has led to serious problems for the youth, rise in criminal activities and even the decline of moral and social values.

Criminal activities, including drug peddling, have also contributed to drug consumption in the younger generation. Reportedly, drug peddlers are also involved in injecting the drug in young individuals to encourage consumption. According to police records, there was a recent incident in Johar Town where a  boy named Hamza died of a drug overdose.

Despite an FIR registered in this regard two months ago, no serious measures were taken to eliminate drug abuse and addiction. These drug suppliers are reaching educational institutions and destroying the fabric of society, turning young individuals into criminals.

This year, one of the main reasons behind many murder cases was either the sale and purchase of drugs or the use of drugs. An incident occurred during a robbery at a pharmacy in Iqbal Town during which a young suspect named Ehtisham was found to be addicted to drugs. The accused robbed the pharmacy to get money to buy drugs.

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Separately, a young boy was murdered by his uncle, a drug peddler, in the area of Millat Park. Later, the father took revenge for his deceased son by killing his own brother. The father of the deceased was an alcoholic himself.

Another incident occurred in which a drug addict threw his own friend from the rooftop after the latter refused to give him a regular Rs100 allowance. In 2017, a graduate of an educational institution killed his friend, an engineer, in a fight over drugs. Psychiatrist Dr Anum Fatima told The Express Tribune that the suspects involved in most of the crimes including rape, street snatching and others, are, reportedly, drug addicts who consume heroin or cannabis.

She added that alcohol intoxication causes hormonal changes in human beings, which disable mental and sensual control. After some time, drug addicts lose their ability to think or react sensibly. In this condition, even a petty issue can offend a drug addict to the extent that she or he can possibly take his or her own life rather than others.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Operations Ashfaq Ahmad Khan said that for the past nine months, police have launched a joint operation across the city with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). “The ANF has been cracking down on drug pushers on a priority basis who supply drugs in and nearby educational institutions.”

The DIG added that, so far, 612 drug dealers have been arrested followed by a special campaign against drug dealers and 590 cases have been registered. “A large number of drugs have also been recovered from these drug peddlers with nearly 217 kilogrammes of heroin, 400.5g of ice and 456 litres of alcohol seized by the police.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2019.