Drug production and its addiction are great problems being faced by the country. Factors like poverty, illiteracy, lack of awareness or lack of basic health care lead towards such problems. But the main area of concern is that the drug abuse is rapidly growing in Pakistan, especially amongst the youth in colleges and universities.
Almost five percent (five million) of adult population in the country is using drugs and its use is growing at an annual rate of seven percent while according to estimates, one out of every 10 college/university students in Pakistan is a drug addict.
According to a national assessment study on drug abuse in Pakistan, there are estimated 500,000 heroin users and 125,000 injection drug users in the country and the number of latter has doubled since 2000, which is alarming.
Drug addiction is very complex problem in Pakistan. It creates bad effects on environment. It affects people mostly in old age.
Million of dollars are spent internationally to prevent drug use. Drug abuse may cause problems for communities as well as countries. The only way out is that the parents should look at their children’s problems and help them build their careers and to help them play proper roles in society.
ABDUL WAHAB
Lahore
