Described as a “hidden epidemic,” the crisis highlights deep-rooted social, economic, and cultural challenges….reports Asian Lite News According to a recent report, Pakistan is in the grip of a growing drug addiction crisis, with a staggering 17 million students aged 18 to 31 battling substance abuse, as revealed by the country’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). Described as a “hidden epidemic,” the crisis highlights deep-rooted social, economic, and cultural challenges. Poverty, unemployment, mental health neglect, and easy access to narcotics—especially through porous borders with Afghanistan—are fuelling the addiction wave among the youth, often seen as Pakistan’s most promising demographic. According to the