EVERY year on June 26, the world observes Inter-national Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traf-ficking to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the global challenge of illicit drug trafficking. The day serves as a reminder that sub-stance abuse is not only a law enforcement issue but also a major public health, social and economic concern affecting millions of individuals and fami-lies worldwide.

In Pakistan, the growing use of narcotics and other addictive substances among young people has emerged as a serious challenge. Rapid urbanization, unemployment, peer pressure, social stress, the easy availability of drugs and limited mental health sup-port have contributed to increasing vulnerability, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Drug abuse affects educational performance, family relationships, workplace productivity and overall community well-being.

Substance use disorders are closely linked with physical and mental health problems. Individuals struggling with addiction often face........

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