Gear up efforts to eradicate drug abuse

It is alarming that the number of drug addicts is on the rise in the country. According to the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), an average of 114 patients took treatment every day at public and private rehabilitation centres last year while the number was 104 in 2018, and 69 in 2017. Also, the number of female addicts who took treatment at government rehabilitation centres in 2019 was four times higher than the previous year. Unfortunately, this is the case despite the fact that the government has declared a war against drug abuse and the law enforcement agencies have been carrying out drives to stop the menace. Over the last few years, many drives had been conducted by the Rab and other law enforcers to arrest drug dealers and traffickers, and, admittedly, the drives saw some success. Even so, drug addiction among young population has reached an alarming proportion with most drug abusers being in the age group 18-35.

While it is absolutely necessary to find out why our young generation is increasingly being vulnerable to drug abuse and raise awareness among them about the disastrous impacts of drug addiction on their lives as well as the society at large, it is equally important to find out the reasons why drugs are so easily available to the youth. Reportedly, at present anyone can buy drugs from home by simply placing an order over phone or online. Although the police say that narcotics are now less available than before, the reports by the DNC say otherwise. 

Under the circumstances, systematic efforts are needed to fight this social menace. The measures that should be taken include taking action against the drug dealers and traffickers; raising awareness among people—parents, children, teachers and students; setting up rehabilitation centres in each district to make treatment available to those in need; introducing student counselling centres in all educational institutions, etc. Only our combined efforts can rid society of the curse of drug abuse.