- Killing the future
Addiction has been a subject of debate and concern since ancient times, however, its intensity and magnitude has increased over time. But what, exactly, is addiction? Many term it as a brain disorder while others label it as a means of pleasure for oneself. It can be comprehended by various descriptions of various people since each individual is subjected to their own opinion. Mostly people become involved in such activities due to emotional issues or stress they refuse to deal with, by their surroundings or its undying pressure, to gain pleasure or simply because they want to try out new things and make their lives exciting and entertaining.
This causes many to lose their lives due to usage in excessive amounts. Often, we hear of how a person has been found dead at their apartment, street, etc. Why is this happening and why is the public unaffected by such news? Because there is no check and balance nowadays and people have become accustomed to hearing news regarding deaths by numerous and different incidents each day. But this specific activity is increasing each day which is concerning as the people using drugs aren’t just holding onto it for themselves but are making a business out it. Majority of the people are selling illegal drugs under the radar which is resulting in harm for people unaware of such monstrosity. It is a growing underworld business that must be brought to an end.
Drugs at an alarming rate in Pakistan
In Pakistan, there has been an exponential increase in substance abuse and mostly the drugs are imported from the neighbouring countries. According to a United Nations estimate, approximately a population of 8.9 million people in Pakistan is using drugs. Even though this situation is alarming in every manner and equally as important as other issues of the country, yet our government has shown minimal concern regarding this subject. The abuse of heroin, marijuana, and weed is the most common of all in the country as, apparently, they seem to be quite cheap and easy to purchase. The worst part of it is that an enormous amount of nearly 110 tons of heroin and morphine is delivered to the international markets via Pakistan which, unbelievably, gains a profit of $2 billion annually.
The question is what are our authorities doing? If a proper approach of check and balance was followed the situation would have been contained rather than outrageously spread like wildfire
In the provinces of Punjab and Sindh, the use of heroin and opium has become comparatively high and has consequently shown a sharp increase over the past years and then people ponder over the question of HIV being positive in them.
Drug abuse: a growing trend in educational institutes
The immense usage of drugs is prevailing in our society and has come to the point where the educational institutions are targeted. Mostly, the private institutions are falling as its victims. Since the private institutes demand large amounts as fees, most of the students belonging to wealthy backgrounds study there and for them affordability isn’t an issue to begin with.
A student of LUMS died due to drug intoxication. This is not the only distressing case as several more were caught from Quaid-e-Azam University. The dean was forced to admit that the students were in the process of using drugs like liquor, hasish and heroin. Apart from these incidents, a 17-year old student belonging to the city of Islamabad was forced into rehabilitation in the year 2016 due to his serious addiction problem. These incidents are just a few of the many reported, every year similar cases go unreported and unregistered.
Since long, Pakistanis have been addiction freaks of drugs like cocaine, heroin and hash, however, over the past years, there are indeed countless that have fallen dependent of a synthetic drug prominently known as ecstasy. This drug aside from being banned in numerous countries comes in tablet form and is sold under names such as Orange Owl, Dutch Lion, Breaking Bad, Rock n Roll, Euro, Nintendo, Love Doves, Mad Bastards, Lightning Bolts, Yellow 007, Pink Pistols, Harley Davidson, Red Ferrari, etc. One pill of ecstasy costs around Rs2,500-3,000, primarily being used by the youth associated with wealthy and plush families.
Contemplation and investigation has led to believe that it’s a psychoactive drug and functions in a similar manner as amphetamines and hallucinogens. It appears to seem pleasurable for some time but the aftereffects may cost you your life. Despite its known consequences, ecstasy is gaining fame in urban parts of the country. A short investigation found that it’s often smuggled through foreign lands but majorly manufactured in Pakistan.
Having an abundant use of ecstasy in parties, it can be effortlessly added or in severe cases slipped into drinks causing the person to lose senses and not being aware of their acts. The next day they fail to remember events of the previous night. As of last year, 2017 and the current, this has become a major issue that must be dealt with firsthand and ceased. As people aren’t only using it for themselves but, forcefully feeding it to others without their knowledge, in various cases, girls are falling as its victims at the hands of boys.
What does the future hold?
The question is what are our authorities doing? If a proper approach of check and balance was followed the situation would have been contained rather than outrageously spread like wildfire.
This matter can have a solution only if the dealers allegedly belonging to political parties are stopped. Even if they are sentenced, the next day those criminals are walking freely on the streets.
It’s high time that the government takes a strict action against this destructive act. CCTV must be near educational institutes and moreover, the institutes should be held accountable if the students are found abusing drugs. The government needs to make an example of those criminals who are found to be involved in cases of drug distribution and playing with the future of Pakistan.
