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 European Times, the report warns that addiction is not just destroying individual lives but also undermining families, fuelling crime, and weakening the country’s future workforce. Despite some awareness initiatives, most educational institutions lack adequate infrastructure to address the issue, while societal stigma and limited mental health support continue to worsen the situation.
The ANF findings serve as a wake-up call, urging Pakistan to launch a coordinated national response to tackle what is rapidly becoming one of its most serious public health and security threats.
