Substance abuse

Drugs abuse continues to plague our society. More often than not, people tend to inhale the substance in a disorderly fashion and end up taking an overdose. The use of drugs without any prescription has also produced copious challenges. Drugs have a longstanding influence on our personality and can be source of drastic shifts in a person’s moods. Drugs abuse remains a sensitive issue across the world. Various countries have introduced a cluster of measures to prevent drug abuse. A string of efforts have been made through community-driven programmes, committee and agencies to deal with the drug war.

A large segment of Pakistan’s population is grappling with substance abuse. According to a report, around 6.7 million are drug-users. Pakistan has been struggling to deal with this issue for a long time. According to a few reports issued by the UNODC, 800,000 people between the ages of 15 and 64 have been found to be guilty of possessing drugs. This has produced countless problems. The rapid increase in the use of drugs has been prompted by the low prices of cannabis and heroin. The increasing expectations that are imposed on people and the day-to-day stress and trauma that they have to encounter has also contributed to this. Cannabis is mostly used in Pakistan. More often than not, the drug is consumed by people who are at a tender age. At this critical juncture, the challenge is to ensure a drug-free Pakistan. We must say no to drugs and ensure that this practice doesn’t tamper with our lives.

Shaeran Rufus

Karachi