Over 6 million drug addicts in Pakistan, says UNODC report.
Government hospitals have failed to establish wards dedicated to treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts despite a directive to set-up such facilities in public sector hospitals in an anti-narcotics policy three years ago.
At the same time, the number of adult drug users in Pakistan is estimated at 6.7 million, according to the Drug Use in Pakistan 2013 survey released by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in March.
In the absence of rehabilitation facilities at government hospitals, private hospitals are charging exorbitant amounts to treat drug addicts. The treatment of one patient can range from Rs45,000 to Rs150,000.
But the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has proved to be a ray of hope in the otherwise bleak drug addiction landscape of Pakistan. The ANF is currently running three hospitals --- one each in Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta --- where drug addicts are provided free-of-cost treatment.
Due to limited resources the centres can only treat 35 to 45 patients at a time for a six-week period of treatment.
ANF Model Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre’s Project Director Dr Farman said they have treated 3,700 patients at the centre.
They also provide free treatment to 1,915 drug addicts at the Adiala Jail.
Farman said the centre can only handle at least 30 people at a time due to limited resources.
The centre, which was established in 2005, follows up with the treated patients for a period of two years, he said. The centre also provides psych consultations for the patients.
ANF wanted to establish similar rehabilitation facilities in Peshawar and Lahore but the agency has been pushed back by lack of funding.
The official said the adverse effects of drug abuse should be made a part of the national curriculum so people, especially younger generation, can be made aware about this menace.
According to the UNODC survey, Pakistan has 4.50 million hashish users, around 0.86 million heroin addicts, 0.33 million opium addicts, 0.43 million people who inject drugs and 19,000 methamphetamine users.
Farman said if the situation is not controlled right away, the number of drug addicts in Pakistan might double in the next 10 years. Patients undergoing rehab at the ANF centre in Islamabad said they were ready to restart their lives with new ambition and have made up their minds to never use drugs again.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2014.
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