Wars are not always fought on battlefields; some battles are waged within societies, silently corroding their foundations. Today, we find ourselves at the forefront of such a war — a war for the future of our youth.

While the narratives of national progress often center around economic indicators or geopolitical developments, an insidious threat looms in the shadows: the escalating drug epidemic. This silent crisis threatens not only our youth but the very fabric of our society.

The tragic murder of Mustafa Amir, a young man caught in the crosshairs of this drug crisis, has become a chilling symbol of what we’re up against. Investigations have unearthed networks of drug suppliers operating with alarming efficiency, connecting students to narcotics through smartphone apps.

Shockingly, these operations involve individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, exposing the pervasiveness of this menace. What’s even more alarming is that our unique geography amplifies this crisis. Sharing borders with Afghanistan and Iran — two major narcotics hubs — positions us as a key transit point for global drug trafficking.

Afghanistan alone produces over 80 percent of the world’s opium. Despite efforts to curb domestic poppy cultivation, the influx of synthetic drugs, often smuggled from India, the........

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