The Drug Use in Pakistan 2013 survey report has revealed that 6% of the country’s population used drugs one year. Out of the 6.7m people, 4.25m are dependent on drugs while only 30,000 users have access to treatment. Numbers related to use of drugs have been consistently on the rise which shows that the current approach towards drug abuse is not working.
Pakistan’s long porous border with Afghanistan continues to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drugs, that make their way to urban centers as well as rural areas. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and other law enforcement agencies are unable to prevent smuggling due to both incapability and complicity. Some reports claim that the black market drug trade generates a $2bn annual but the number could actually be higher. It is far too common for regulatory bodies to become part of a lucrative business they are supposed to crack down on. Therefore, drug smuggling will not be curtailed until the relevant authorities are not made capable or clean.
Another problem exacerbating the situation is the society’s and by extension, the state’s misguided approach towards drug abuse. A drug addict is not viewed as a member of society in need of help, but cast out and condemned as a hopeless delinquent. In a way, the person is reduced to and defined through the product that they are consuming. Derogatory terms such as ‘charsi’ and ‘bhangi’ have become a part of routine language, which only goes on to show how we view drug addiction, and specifically, addicts. Passing judgments and causing insult may be tempting, but it helps no one.
The alarming callousness of successive governments in setting up rehabilitation centers guarantees that those stuck in the cycle remain there for good. Most organisations that offer treatment are non-governmental, and they are not reaching the majority of users. For many, they are either too far away or far too expensive. Some don’t offer effective or approved rehabilitation programmes, but focus on keeping the victim at the center for as long as possible, away from drugs as they charge heavily in exchange for unsatisfactory services. This works only for as long as the user stays at the facility. As soon as they are out, they are on their way to come back again. The government should not only do its part and set up cheap and where necessary, free rehabilitation centers but also scrutinize currently operating NGOs. By not effectively dealing with it, it is failing to fulfill its responsibility towards victims and leaving the rest of the country ever more vulnerable to the wide-ranging and disastrous effects of drugs.