wenty-eight-year-old Sajid Ali (not his real name) once lived a happy and fulfilling life. His world turned upside down when he became addictedto crystal meth, commonly known as ice.

Initially, Ali’s late-night absence was tolerated as he assured his family that he was spending time with friends. However, his behaviour grew increasingly erratic and violent. Eventually, the family learnt the devastating truth: Ali was addicted to ice.

The family’s first response was to take Ali to Social Welfare Department’s rehabilitation centre in Peshawar. He responded well to the treatment and showed signs of recovery, returning to a semblance of normalcy. However, the respite was short lived and he soon had a relapse.

To help him recover, the family now admitted him to a private rehab centre in Shabqadar in Charsadda district. However, this centre, proved a nightmare. One night, Ali and a friend managed to escape from the centre. He later told his family that the facility operated like a detention centre and that the inmates faced torture and starvation.

Ali’s family identified three major hurdles in his path to recovery: the difficulty of overcoming ice addiction; the lack of proper treatment facilities at some of the centres; and the pervasive presence of drug peddlers who can deliver their deadly wares at one’s doorstep. These dealers, operating with impunity, continue to spread the scourge of ice, devastating lives and communities.

The social implications of the ice epidemic are devastating. Ali’s repeated attempts at rehabilitation illustrate the difficulty of overcoming addiction. In a third attempt, the family have now admitted Ali at a private rehab centre in Peshawar.

The impact of crystal meth addiction extends far beyond individual suffering. It has led to a significant rise in crime. Many have fallen victim to drug-related violence. Take the case of a young man, a white-collar worker. One morning, as he set out to buy food for breakfast from a nearby tandoor in Peshawar’s Gulbahar locality, he was accosted by two armed men riding a motorcycle. They demanded that he surrender his money and valuables. In his confusion, he tried fleeing. One of the assailants then shot him. He succumbed to his injury, dying from excessive bleeding before he could receive medical attention at a hospital.

The incident took place around a month ago. It was captured on a CCTV camera. The video was widely circulated on social media, put immense pressure on the police to bring the perpetrators to justice. Two suspects were eventually arrested. It was then revealed that the shooter was under the influence of ice at the time of the killing.

Explaining the gravity of the situation, a senior police officer says: “Early in the morning, people don’t carry large sums of money. The murder happened over a few rupees. Ice addiction has caused a sharp spike in the crime rate. It’s a serious problem for us all.”

Unlike some other drugs, ice is mostly smuggled from Afghanistan. It is often adulterated with other substances to increase its volume and the dealers’ profits.

Unlike some other drugs, ice is mostly smuggled from Afghanistan. It is often adulterated with other substances to increase its volume and the dealers’ profits.

Efforts to combat the ice trade are frequently undermined by corruption. In one instance, a deputy superintendent of police ordered an SHO to arrest a known ice supplier. However, the dealer went missing from his hideout the next day. It is suspected that he was tipped off by someone at the police station. Despite such incidents, senior police officers remain committed to eradicating the drug, viewing it as a cancer that is destroying the society. Recently, the KP police have launched a crackdown on ice dealers and other drug peddlers.

Some experts say that a major hurdle in battling the ice trade is the fact that police are multitasking. They have to also perform guard duties in polio campaigns, operations against electricity theft, jirgas and feuds and routine patrols, and thus cannot focus on the drug menace. Some police officials fear that some of the profits from drug trade is being used for terrorism financing.

Rehabilitating ice addicts is costly and complex. The Social Welfare Department estimates that the treatment costs around Rs 36,000 per month per addict at a state-run rehab centre in Peshawar. Given the provincial government’s financial difficulties, funding these facilities is becoming a challenge.

Crystal meth is particularly insidious. Just one puff can hook a user, leaving them high and sleepless for up to two days. The Social Welfare Department operates a rehab centre in Peshawar. There are several private centres, too. Some of those receive government funds in addition to fees charged from the families of the addicts being treated there.

There is a facility for mentally challenged people at the Peshawar Prison. Social Welfare Department officials say that a similar facility can also be set up on the premises of the prison, where at least 1,000 addicts can be admitted for treatment at a time.

It is next to impossible for a person addicted to ice to quit without treatment and support. The drug releases dopamine in humans in huge quantities. Dopamine induces feelings of well-being and pleasure. The normal range for dopamine is 0 to 30 pg/mL. However, ice significantly elevates dopamine levels up to 1,000 times the normal level, far exceeding those produced by any other pleasant activity.

The drug’s impact extends beyond personal suffering. It is disrupting entire communities. Many government employees and professionals are known to have lost their jobs due to the addiction.

The war on crystal meth is a complex and multi-faceted crisis requiring immediate and sustained attention. Strengthening rehab facilities, addressing corruption in law enforcement, increasing public awareness and providing robust support for affected families are essential. Only through a comprehensive and compassionate approach can we hope to turn the tide against this relentless epidemic.

The writer has a PhD in journalism and mass communication. He tweets @doctormshahid