ALTHOUGH not itself a drug-producing country, Pakistan is a transit hub for drug trafficking. According to the latest United States list of major drug-producing countries, Pakistan is one of the most heroin-addicted nations in the world.

Afghanistan, which is believed to be responsible for at least 75 per cent of the world’s heroin, shares borders with Pakistan. In 2021, the Afghan opium trade generated $2.7 billion in income. Although Afghanistan has long been associated with heroin, it has recently emerged as a significant producer of crystal meth, which is another highly addictive drug. Due to proximity to Afghanistan, Pakistan is also considered a transport hub for drug networks. The negative impact of such operations on Pakistani society are more than visible to anyone willing to see.

It is essential to note that combating drug addiction and trafficking is not solely the responsibility of law-enforcement agencies. Other national institutions must also play their roles. Under the National Anti-Narcotics Policy (NANP) 2019, for instance, the Ministry of Education is responsible for developing a curriculum against drug abuse and having anti-drug messages published in textbooks meant for schools, colleges and universities. However, this has not yet been implemented.

Similarly, on its part, the federal Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage should actively launch awareness campaigns outlining the negative impacts of drug use on individuals and society. Unfortunately, no such initiatives have been seen on television screens for long.

Moreover, the said policy also mandated the Statistics Division to conduct a national drug abuse survey every four to five years. However, no such survey has been conducted since 2013. The absence of accurate data and statistics renders larger anti-narcotics efforts ineffective.

In October 2022, the Ministry of Narcotics Control, the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) jointly launched the National Drug Use Survey Pakistan 2022-24. This initiative is likely to help us provide a realistic picture of drug abuse in the country. Implementing the overlooked areas of NANP 2019 is essential. Stakeholders cannot afford at al to be complacent anymore.

It is time the government and its all relevant departments launched a massive crackdown against drug smuggling and peddling, especially the culprits found spreading the menace around educational institutions.

We must do it on a war footing if we are serious about saving the country’s future generations, and presenting a better image of Pakistan abroad.

Marzia Batool
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2023