Drug addiction is an evil that’s destroying the very fabric of our society for long. It’s time the authorities concerned did something concrete to tackle the issue
TAKING drugs can be extremely injurious to health. It ruins the very existence of a man. Drugs undermine sustainable human development and can result in an increase in criminal activities.
As far as our society goes, drugs have caused some major problems and our apathy towards the issue is mind-boggling. We don’t seem to be sincere in our effort to eradicate the menace of drug addiction from our country.
To gauge the verity of the observation, one cursory glance at the ever-increasing number of addicts in Peshawar’s Hayatabad market (Karkhno) or near the Haji camp bus stand would suffice. If you happen to be in Quetta, the area of Habib Nullah will provide you with a glaring example.
A true Muslim would never make or sell material that can kill aur cause harm to his own brothers. Usually people having no moral values commit such crime. Also, let’s accept the fact that our indifference to the matter is not helping either. If things keep on moving in the same direction, the prospects of eliminating drugs from our society seem bleak.
Using drugs for merely a few days may put the user on the road to perdition. The treatment and rehabilitation period can be stretched to months and years, and more importantly the patient’s psychological need for drugs may never diminish and an infinite battle may begin for the rest of his life.
The real problem lies with the youth, the most valuable asset of any nation. The young ones that we bank upon for our better future aimlessly wonder on the streets in pursuit of drugs and then can be seen sprawling across railway lines and bus stands helplessly, signifying their dismal condition.
The situation is truly distressing and alarming. Every now and then seminars and workshops are held where the speakers beat about the bush with no substantial arguments, as a result of which all such efforts go in vain. Of course, the underlying agenda for them is the pursuance of their own ill motives. The drug mafia people don’t remain restricted to some specific areas. They have managed access to most posh areas and reach the door steps of various educational institutions. In schools, colleges and universities this grave issue is neither discussed nor are its disastrous repercussions divulged to the students.
There is a growing perception among many people that using drugs may make them more focused on cognitive, religious and recreational activities. Drug-taking has so rapidly sneaked into our lives that many students have begun using hash on the pretext of being more attentive to studies, whereas the poor students remain oblivious to the fact that the poison could sap all their cognitive capacities. Owing to the shortage of recreational facilities in our country, our youth prefers to resort to drugs in order to have fun.
Taking drugs for religious meditation is another practice that’s on the rise. I interviewed a couple of addicts having religious inclination. Their reply was based on the assumption that drugs relieve their mind of all the materialistic motives and their directionless thoughts start treading the path of peace. Moreover, they presume that there is no clear prohibition in Islam as far as the use of drugs like hash is concerned. It appears that finding logical or illogical excuses is quite easy for us. This is sheer ignorance.
Unfortunately, the role of the civil society in this regard is not appreciable. Aristocrats, technocrats, landlords, politicians, businessmen running conglomerates have always sought to better their businesses, but have scarcely extended any support or sponsorship to drug control schemes. This is clear manifestation of the selfishness and self-centredness, which has pushed us into this quagmire. The lust for power and money has denied us formulating a united and integrated approach to the elimination of drug addiction.
The trans-border smuggling of drugs is on the rise as well and due to the connection between the drug mafia, the safe passage of drugs across the country to the far-flung areas is guaranteed. The shortage of infrastructure and resources are not the only things that are worrisome. There is a complete absence of general awareness among all factions of society. Some endeavours made by certain institutions lose their effectiveness due to the lack of interactive role played by the government, the civil society and the NGOs.
Our neighbouring country Afghanistan is the major cause of the dismal state of affairs, which has pushed us deep into this quagmire. Afghanistan produces opium in great quantity. Prior to 1980, heroine was introduced as one of the hard drugs. Due to the Russian invasion in Afghanistan, millions of Afghan refugees migrated to Pakistan’s NWFP and Balochistan provinces. The new-comers were fully equipped with the latest technology through which they could convert opium into brown and white powder (heroine).
The Afghan refugees were the main reason why the evil of heroine spread so quickly in Pakistan. In 1982, there were 120,000 heroine addicts in our country, and in 1985 the number increased to 136,000. According to a recent survey, there are more than four million drug addicts in Pakistan. Most of them consume hashish, that is, 48.4 per cent; heroin addicts are 29.3 per cent; 28.4 per cent use opium; and 3.4 per cent use bhang. Approximately 65 per cent addicts live in the rural areas and the rest in the urban areas. The majority of drug addicts are between the ages 20 and 30, which means 75 per cent of the total drug addicts. The US, in the last 82 years, spent around $1 trillion on drug eradication and now it has begun to spend $50 billion yearly on drug control.
Despite such heavy investments, only 10 per cent illicit drugs is seized by the law enforcing agencies, whereas 90 per cent is very conveniently transported to the markets. Many Americans, now, view this situation against the law of diminishing returns. Indeed, it is a difficult proposition to handle.
Ironically, in our society nobody voices their opinion against the situation, let alone taking any concrete measures. People are so tied up with their own problems that they fail to comprehend that in the future the issue might take the better of them as well.
With the emergence of MMA’s leadership it was thought that this grave matter may get a little attention. But the sorry state of affairs continues. Instead of stoning and dismantling billboards, a drive to liberate society from drug abuse should have been launched.
On June 15, 2004, a joint meeting on drug trafficking and smuggling was held between Pakistani and Indian drug committees. One wishes that some appropriate and long lasting policies and measures would have been taken in the meeting.
There is not a single anti-narcotics body in our society whose performance has received any national or international recognition. Some of the readers may disagree with me on this point, but I would seek to reveal certain facts. There are 1,500 NGOs registered with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). Out of these, there are 18 drug-related NGOs worldwide, and not a single one is from Pakistan. There are 20 Pakistani NGOs registered with the United Nations (DPI), but none of them deals with drug issues. It seems that we are not ready to pay attention to drug victims.
Nonetheless, despite having meagre resources, there are groups like the DAPRC, Dost Foundation and the Milo Shaheed Trust that are trying to bring about some changes by alleviating the pain of drug addicts and their families.
Drug addicts need easier and immediate access to treatment and rehabilitation. Once under treatment, addicts may need job training and assistance in getting reintegrated into society.
The addicts who commit crime need alternative treatment in order to break the cycle of drug abuse. It is not an issue that can be resolved overnight. It demands a rigorous effort of individuals from all walks of life.
To begin with, people hailing from all quarters must actively participate in the battle against drugs on the international drug day. The government, the civil society, NGOs, and the law enforcement agencies should evolve an interactive and integrated approach to the issue. The strategies of demand reduction and supply reduction must be made by specialized agencies. In schools, colleges and universities drug education should be made mandatory.
Moreover, it is imperative that we have a centralized mechanism for regulating and assessing the entire rehabilitation process. If basic infrastructure is there, it would obviously attract more assistance, guidance and funds from the UNODC and the UNDCP.
Drug addiction is an evil that’s destroying the very fabric of our society for long. It’s time the authorities concerned did something concrete to tackle the issue 
