Story of addiction: ‘6.7 million people in Pakistan used addictive substances in 2013’

Drug survey report reveals insufficient facilities for treatment, rehabilitation.

PESHAWAR: For the 1.6 million drug users in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) last year, only 16 centres offered treatment and rehabilitation, states a survey report titled Drug Use in Pakistan 2013.

The survey report made public on Tuesday at a local hotel in Peshawar was conducted by the Narcotics Control Division of Pakistan, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. K-P Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai was the chief guest at the occasion.

Inadequate facilities

A copy of the report available with The Express Tribune states 6.7 million people in the country used addictive substances in 2013. Out of these, 4.25 million people were drug dependent and required a form of structured intervention for treatment, but, only 30,000 people can be provided health facilities by the government.



Given the large number of drug users, the facilities available remain inadequate. The survey report shows that K-P has 16 centres, Punjab has 31, Sindh has 27 and Balochistan has 10 treatment centres. The total capacity of all these centres combined is a measly 1,990 beds.

The report adds that the average age of the country’s drug users in 2013 was between 25 and 39 years.

A disturbing trend

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Narcotics Control Division of Pakistan Director General Muhammad Shahid said, “There are only 40% among 6.7 million drug users between 15 to 64 years of age who use drugs due to poverty or stress. The rest use them to seek pleasure.”

According to Shahid, facilities to rehabilitate dependent drug users were inadequate across the country. “A majority of people rehabilitated at health centres relapse upon their return, which is why society also needs to play a role and make efforts to accept these people,” said Shahid.

The DG further said 74% of the world’s opium is produced in neighbouring Afghanistan, and 40% of this is supplied to the rest of the world via Pakistan, 34% via Iran and the rest via Russia and other Central Asian countries.

Also speaking on the occasion, UNODC Office In charge Collier Brown said only 13% of 430,000 users who injected drugs knew about the various modes of transmission of HIV, while sharing and reusing needles was the norm.

The way forward

A statement issued by the UNODC, while quoting Brown states, “The Drug Use in Pakistan 2013 survey is a database which provides a comprehensive record on drug use and its implications on HIV transmission.”

“Information provided in the report will form the baseline for future planning and help in designing drug prevention and treatment programmes in Pakistan,” the statement added.

Health minister Tarakai termed the survey report a wakeup call for the government and society. “The increasing use of drugs, especially among the youth, is alarming,” said Tarakai.

The minister emphasised the need for serious efforts on the part of the government, relevant international bodies and all segments of society to curb the menace of drug addiction.

Measles vaccine enquiry report

Speaking to the media following the inaugural ceremony of the report, Tarakai said the report of the enquiry conducted into the deaths of children reportedly after the administration of the measles vaccine is almost complete and would be made public soon.

Tarakai said Chief Minister Pervez Khattak will be briefed about the enquiry and the report will be released soon. He added all those found responsible will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Shortcomings of hospitals are being addressed. We will not compromise on the provision of health services to people,” contended Tarakai.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2014.