Illicit drug sale

In a recent Sindh Assembly proceeding, MPAs seemed irked by the prevalent issue of illicit drug sale under the nose of LEAs. Claims made included connivance by the police as well as reluctance to take timely action. One MPA claimed that 363 drug dens were operating in his constituency alone. But the issue is not endemic as the entire country hosts around 76 million active drug users and addicts, out of which 78% are male while 22% are female, according to UN statistics.

It seems that the sale of drugs has long been an open and accepted secret. This coupled with the increasing rate of drug use among teenagers has created a vicious cycle that grows exponentially. The economic situation in the country — high unemployment and high inflation — has forced even middle-class people to resort to drugs since they are unable to make ends meet. Eventually, many find themselves homeless, fending for themselves out on the streets. Lack of rehab facilities means that they have little hope. While drugs like ice and hashish are made readily available locally, the same are also being illegally exported around the world at a cheap price — with the help of Afghanistan. This entire system makes up the mammoth billion-dollar narcotics trade business that many are willing to dip their fingers in, whether it be at the street level or through black market trade. This can only be dismantled if the involvement of the police is restricted.

Instead of working with drug sellers, provincial police forces must create anti-narcotics units to dismantle drug dens operating across cities. Only when local dealers are caught and punished can authorities attempt to target the top drug lords. This will require careful planning and patience.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2022.

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