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Youth

Alarm Raised Over Rising Drug Use Among Students in Pakistan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistan's Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights has sounded the alarm over the increasing use of drugs among students, with over 170 million students aged 18 to 31 being particularly vulnerable. Despite a nationwide awareness campaign launched by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in February 2024, officials have expressed concern over the lack of scientific research and statistical data to explain the rising trend of drug use. The committee emphasized the need for evidence-based strategies to effectively address the issue and called for a comparative analysis of past and ongoing anti-drug campaigns.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) launched a nationwide awareness campaign across 237 universities in February 2024 to tackle drug abuse among the country's youth.
  • The campaign uncovered 31 drug traffickers and seized 140 kilograms of narcotics from 235 universities.
  • The committee expressed concern over the absence of scientific research and statistical data to explain the rising trend of drug use.
  • Senator Samina Zehri criticized the lack of visible public awareness campaigns by the ministry, particularly those warning of the harmful effects of drugs.
  • Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child, stressed the need for awareness campaigns in schools featuring parents and teachers.
  • Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police reported the registration of 78 drug-related cases and the arrest of 735 individuals since 2023.
  • Unicef's Deputy Representative for Programmes in Pakistan, Sharmeela Rassool, highlighted the need for child welfare initiatives and noted a significant improvement in child nutrition indicators.
  • The Ministry of Human Rights has established the National Commission on the Rights of Child to implement key articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Statistics:

  • Over 170 million students aged 18 to 31 are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse.
  • 78 drug-related cases were registered by ICT Police and 735 individuals were arrested since 2023.
  • 131 kilograms of narcotics were seized by ICT Police.
  • 140 kilograms of narcotics were seized by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) from 235 universities.
  • 31 drug traffickers were uncovered by the ANF during the nationwide awareness campaign.

Sources:

  • "Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights briefed on drug menace among students". Pakistan Today, 2023,
  • "ANF uncovers 31 drug traffickers, seizes 140kg narcotics during nation-wide crackdown". Geo News, 2023,
  • "Pakistan ranks 41st on Human Development Index, children reach half of their potential: Unicef". Dawn, 2023,

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