Lost and alone, many fall into a spiral of drug abuse in which recovery seems impossible. The Pakistani government, in tandem with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is working to ensure that citizens have the support needed to combat their addictions.

From Despair to Hope

Pakistan faces one of the most severe and widespread drug crises in the world today. Roughly 7 million individuals experience drug-related dependencies. Economic inequality, poor education initiatives and lack of border regulation all contribute significantly to the issue. The government is collaborating with professionals and international outlets to address the problem with varying degrees of success.

Pakistan has seen a rise in poverty over the past six years. Nearly 30% of citizens live below the poverty line, with most households in rural areas. This increase is attributed to national and global emergencies, such as economic effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, growing inflation and prolonged macroeconomic adjustment. Rising poverty has led to increased levels of depression and poorer mental health, fueling drug use as a coping mechanism.

Reports

A drug use report launched by the United Nations (U.N.) in 2022 found that 9% of the adult male population and 2.9% of the adult female population had used a substance other than tobacco and alcohol in the previous year — together equivalent to about 6.7 million people, or roughly 6% of the population overall. The survey notes changing drug patterns in the region; methamphetamines and heroin have become more popular and accessible, and the illegal drug trade in Pakistan is estimated to generate roughly $2 billion a year. The report, launched jointly by the Ministry of Narcotics Control, the government of Pakistan, the United States (U.S.) Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the UNODC, aims to establish effective prevention, treatment and rehab programs through information generated from household surveys and high-risk drug studies.

The drug market in Pakistan is readily available to youth, filled with cheap, accessible and potent drugs. The country borders Afghanistan, the world’s largest producer of opium, responsible for 75% of the world’s heroin. The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has seen little regulation and poor law enforcement, allowing for an established drug market. Educational efforts regarding the negative impacts of drugs have not been successfully implemented in schools or universities, as drug addiction, poverty and mental health issues are heavily stigmatized.

Government and International Response

Pakistan has instituted several enforcement protocols and regulations to control the growing crisis. The Anti-Narcotics Force, established in 1995 and formalized under the Anti-Narcotics Force Act of 1997, is a government agency and paramilitary organization founded to investigate crimes involving narcotics, control borders and manage regulation and arrests. Since its inception, the government has worked to increase its effectiveness and further challenge the drug market. The policy focuses on supply and demand reduction by curbing inflow and establishing treatment and rehab facilities. It also stresses international cooperation with U.N. multilateral conventions and resolutions.

Internationally, the U.S. INL works closely with the Pakistani government and other international organizations to establish drug prevention and awareness programming. Aspects of the project include strengthening community resilience, generating education efforts, promoting awareness and utilizing research to combat addiction more effectively.

– Ella Goulet

Ella is based in Alexandria, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay