Syed Mansoor Qutab
Drug addiction, now prevalent across all genders, ages and socio-economic classes, has recently been reaching alarming levels in Pakistan. . This rise is directly proportional to the increased availability of drugs in the market and the demand from the population. The increased demand partly stems from the prevalence of mental disorders, specifically depression. There is dire lack of mechanisms to cope, and drugs seem to fill that coping gap. Some perceive it as a solution to their problems, others to shrug responsibility. Peer pressure and social influences are major factors that coax youngsters into drug usage.
The most commonly used drug is hashish (hash) that comes from the cannabis plant. Multiple studies have shown this and marijuana to be a gateway drug. Once exposed, users’ preferences expand into harder drugs and mechanisms that induce a more potent experience. This includes injecting themselves, using opioids orally or nasally and indulging in hallucinogens. The type of drug used is also largely determined by the socio-economic bracket and resources available. Those that cannot afford the more expensive drugs resort to items at their disposal such as solvents leading to glue-sniffing.
Drugs give rise to lowered inhibitions and heightened risk-addiction, leading to aggression, delusions, insanity, and dangerous behaviour. On the other hand, drug abuse tends to lead to decline in motivation and ambition.
The blame for forcing people to find an escape cannot be placed on a single entity. However, academic pressure combined with social obligations act as stressors that can drive students down a dirty road. Other factors include pressures from family, friends, colleagues or peers to perform better. While people cannot be sheltered from the existence of drugs, a healthy discussion especially at an early age, can go a long way to deconstruct taboos and normalize responsible behaviour.
The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) must step up to cut off the drug problem from the root. Even though controls on addictive prescription drugs have been enacted, non-prescription drugs are still a major problem in the country where we cannot deal with individual suppliers that sell these drugs illegally. Afghanistan’s poppy cultivation means that opium is supplied through the border on the West. In 2017, the ANF seized well over 2,800 metric tonnes of opium crossing the border. This number increases each year -making the task tedious for the law enforcement agencies.
The link between some mental illnesses and drug abuse must be acknowledged. Users are at higher levels of risk when recreational drugs are taken without prescriptions. Individuals are nearly 5times more likely to develop bipolar disorder and the chances of developing ADHD are also increased. These are just two of many disorders that can escalate due to the intake of illicit drugs
For the sake of our children and their mental health, we must ensure strict control over this drug industry that plagues our world. Better company, healthier lifestyles, and transparent communication can help in ridding ourselves of this terrible epidemic.
