Over 1,000 addicts sent to rehab in a week

Alarming growth of drug use among women, children

PESHAWAR:

An alarming trend has been observed during the Drug-Free Peshawar Campaign as a growing number of women and children are among the addicts taken into custody.

During the ongoing anti-drug campaign, 19 children and 11 women have been taken into custody. So far, over 1,000 individuals addicted to drugs have been detained and transferred to rehabilitation centres.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry visited the Peshawar Deputy Commissioner's Drug Control Room, where he received a briefing on the campaign.

Peshawar Division Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud and Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Sarmad Saleem Akram shared updates on the campaign's progress and results.

To date, 1,021 drug addicts have been transferred to rehabilitation centers from various areas of Peshawar, including 19 children and 11 women. Currently, eight rehabilitation centres are operational in Peshawar, where treatment is being provided using standard methods.

The CS was also briefed on live monitoring from the control room, which ensures continuous oversight of all rehabilitation centers.

Following the control room inspection, he visited "Da Haq Awaz Rehabilitation Center" in University Town and "Khawaja Younas Rehabilitation Center" in Amanabad. He met with patients undergoing treatment and reviewed the facilities and services provided to them.

Officials present during the visit included Social Welfare Director Rafiq Khan Mohmand, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rao Hashim Azim, District Social Welfare Officer Noor Muhammad Mehsud, Excise Department officials, police officers, and others.

Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry stated that alongside the rehabilitation of drug addicts, strict action would continue against those involved in the drug trade.

He emphasised that several drug factories across the province have been shut down, and the mafia has been cornered. "Our mission is to eradicate this scourge entirely," he said. "Drug dealers will be brought to justice and given severe punishments."

He urged collaboration between relevant institutions and the public to ensure the campaign's success and make Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa completely drug-free.

Drug addiction in Peshawar is a growing crisis, particularly among the youth. The city has witnessed an alarming increase in the use of substances like crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as "ice"), heroin, and prescription drugs such as Tramadol and Diazepam.

An estimated 11% of the population in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa engages in illicit drug use, making it one of the most affected regions in Pakistan. Crystal meth, due to its affordability has become particularly popular among students and young professionals.

Its effects include heightened energy and alertness, but prolonged use leads to severe psychological and physical health issues

In response, local authorities have launched rehabilitation initiatives. Even rehabilitation efforts have intensified, these efforts are hampered by insufficient infrastructure, with many public facilities operating beyond capacity.

The lack of affordable treatment options also poses a significant barrier; private rehab centers charge up to Rs45,000 per month, a cost that many families cannot afford.