Pakistan is grappling with an escalating drug abuse and addiction crisis that challenges the social cohesion, economic stability, and public health of the country. With estimates of drug users crossing the figure of 9 million, the scale of the problem appears to be daunting. The issue is further exacerbated by the country’s geographical proximity to Iran and Afghanistan, which makes it prone to drug smuggling, specifically opium. The crisis is further compounded by systemic inadequacies, including a lack of rehabilitation options, weak drug control oversight, and socio-economic restraints.

The issue of drug abuse in Pakistan is widespread, affecting diverse demographic groups across the rural and urban landscape. The latest official figures provided by a 2013 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated around 6.7 million drug users (6% of the population) in the country. The 2022 rough estimates suggest that the figures might have reached up to 9 million. Meanwhile, the National Drug Use Survey 2022-2024, jointly conducted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Narcotics Control, U.S. INL, and UNODC, was launched in late 2022, but its official findings remain awaited. However, on the occasion of the launch, UNODC released a statement discussing the sharp rise in the use of synthetic drugs around the region, particularly methamphetamine (ice), alongside traditional substances such as heroin, opium, and cannabis.

Opiate addiction remains one of the most significant cornerstones of this crisis, with 1.06 million users reported in the 2013 report. Heroin and cannabis addiction are driven by Pakistan’s role as a transit hub for Afghan drugs. The increase in synthetic drugs and prescription medicine misuse, such as tramadol and gabapentin, signals a shifting landscape. A 2023 study in JCPSP supports the assertion of over-the-counter misuse and addiction of gabapentin in rural Punjab. The results can be extrapolated to understand the threat of prescription drug abuse in the country.

Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and low literacy rate fuel the vulnerability to drug addiction. KPK and Balochistan are specifically affected due to their proximity to the Afghan border, which facilitates direct drug trafficking, while the affluent youth of urban centers such as Lahore and Karachi become victims of drug use due to social media........

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