ACROSS Pakistan, a silent but dangerous crisis is unfolding.

From major cities to small towns and villages, many young people are falling into addiction not through illegal street drugs, but through medications legally sold over pharmacy counters. Benzodiazepines, anabolic steroids and opioid-based painkillers are widely available without prescriptions or proper checks. What often begins as an attempt to manage anxiety, stress or sleep problems quickly turns into dependency, making this a serious public health emergency with long-term consequences.

A 2019 study by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) revealed that nearly 25 percent of young people in urban areas had used prescription drugs recreationally. Similarly, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned that non-medical use of prescription drugs is rising rapidly across South Asia, identifying Pakistan as a high-risk country due to weak regulatory controls. These findings underline the urgency for decisive action.

Pakistan has thousands of registered pharmacies, alongside many informal outlets, particularly in rural areas. Despite the availability of qualified pharmacists, only a small fraction of pharmacies actually employ them. In most cases, untrained sales staff dispense powerful medications without understanding their risks. There is no digital tracking, limited accountability and minimal oversight, creating an environment ripe for abuse.

While authorities have intensified efforts against street narcotics, prescription drug sales remain largely unchecked. This imbalance is alarming. Medications capable of altering brain chemistry and causing addiction are often easier to obtain than illegal drugs. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada, strict systems ensure these drugs are dispensed only with valid prescriptions. In Pakistan, however, many of the same medicines are sold freely over the counter.

Recent actions by the Punjab Government against drug traffickers are commendable, but they must be matched with firm regulation of prescription medicines. Addiction to legally sold drugs can be just as destructive as dependence on street narcotics. As illegal drugs become harder to access, there is a real risk that young people will increasingly turn to readily available medications. The core problem is enforcement. Pakistan has laws governing prescription drugs, but weak implementation allows unregulated pharmacies to operate freely. In contrast, countries like Australia use digital prescription tracking, hold pharmacists accountable and impose strict penalties for violations. Similar systems in the United States and Canada include regular audits, complaint mechanisms and severe consequences for non-compliance.

Enforcement alone, however, is not enough. Public awareness is equally critical. Young people must understand that self-medication with prescription drugs is dangerous and addictive. Unlike countries with strong public health campaigns, Pakistan lacks sustained educational initiatives on this issue.

The youth of Pakistan represent its future. Protecting them requires political will, effective regulation and public education. This crisis demands immediate attention, not merely as a legal obligation, but as a moral responsibility to safeguard the nation’s next generation.

—The writer is a socio-political analyst and an expert on institutions and governance affairs.

© Pakistan Observer