In a survey of 500 drug users in Karachi, researchers found that the most commonly used substance was cocaine - but it was just 19% of the whole.
These findings were published in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal by H. Ali and colleagues of the Ziauddin College of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University as “Profile of drug users in Karachi City, Pakistan”.
The survey included a descriptive questionnaire to identify the socioeconomic profile and beliefs and practices of the 500 drug users The most commonly used drugs were cocaine (19%) and crack-cocaine (15%), followed by amphetamines, (11%), alcohol, caffeine, barbiturates and benzodiazepines (10% each).
According to the World drug report 2000, from the United Nations Drug Control Programme, Pakistan is one of the countries hardest hit by the narcotics industry. According to a survey in 2005, there were about 3.5 million drug abusers, and the numbers were growing at an annual rate of 7%. An examination of the social and demographic correlates of drug users in Karachi revealed that 71.5% were aged less than 35 years, with the highest proportion in the 20 to 30 year group.
The most commonly used drugs were cocaine (19.0%) and crack-cocaine (15.0%), followed by amphetamines (11.0%), alcohol, caffeine, barbiturates and benzodiazepines (10.0% each).
Most of the individuals had poly-drug addiction. Nasal inhalation was reported to be the most frequent mode of administration of drugs (31.6%), followed by smoking (28.0%), oral (19.6%) and parenteral routes (8%). About 12.8% used a combination of oral and parenteral modes.
Most drug users (67%) obtained their drugs from an unknown person, while 23% obtained supplies from a friend and 10% from a pharmacy.
“Key psychological factors leading to drug use were problems with parental or marital relations or the break-up of a relationship (45%),” the researchers wrote. Drugs were seen as an escape from stressful life events for 28% of people or feelings of failure (18.2%). Many drug users blamed the origin of their drug use on bad social influences (47%) or socioeconomic problems (23.4%).
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2011.
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@sad panda u should keep your eyes open.............there r liquor stores everywhere
so 34% of people use cocaine or crack-cocaine - was the sample size based in Miami or what =P
Psy-op in full swing. Nothing but fear, hate, destitute, killing on news sites and channels.
Why is marijuana not included in this survey? Surely it is consumed by a much large portion of individuals than cocaine in the form of charas or hash and is considered a drug as much as crack and cocaine.
It was a convenience sample, done by medical students (published in EMHJ Jan 2011). Yes as has been pointed out, it seems to have missed out the bulk of drug users and appears to have over sampled richer users.
If one looks at the data from the National AIDS Program, the bulk of drug use in Karachi (slightly different from the patterns in Sindh and Punjab) is still heroin and synthetic (medical) opioids, followed by valium.
In this sample only 18% of the subjects used daily. That by definition is a sporadic or irregular user. Not what most people would understand as the bulk of drug users.
That said the authors found some cocaine use which is extremely rare and costly. Interesting.
uhhhhh ..... marijuana?
Ammm.. no one takes in these drugs in other parts of Pakistan?
Its ironic that the above crack cocaine, heroine and marijuana are cheaply and easily available to the masses but liquor is out of reach for ordinary people. Whats worse liquor or these drugs?
what was the sample of this survey?? bent towards upscale starata of the society cause cocaine & crack are not the drug of choice of the masses...we have the marijane here in our country and not to forget heroine..
There is some confusion here. This survey either is about some other country or its completely wrong.
EXHIBIT A:
cocaine is sold 80000 per gram minimum. It is a rich mans drug (obviously) on top people such as drug addicts-specially in pakistan-cant afford such a luxury. what i think is people take heroin which is much much cheaper and snort it thinking its cocaine or they are mislead into thinking its cocaine. My personal experience tells me most of the masses use 'naswar' and other cheap chemical drugs like glue and other toxic fumes to get high. It makes more sense since they are cheap and pakistan is broke.
Please review your facts before you publish them. I am beginning to question everything United Nations says anyways.
Who would want to do drugs after looking at that image! :P