Pubdate: Sat, 03 May 2014
Source: Daily Times (Pakistan)
Copyright: 2014 Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.dailytimes.com.pk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2893
Author: Maliha Javid

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUGS

Sir: The statistics of drug abuse in Pakistan, compiled by the report 
'Drug Use in Pakistan, 2013', has shocked the legal and medical 
fraternities. According to this report, more than 4.2 million people are 
suffering from drug addiction. Most of the time habit-forming drugs are 
used for recreational purposes. With time, the body demands frequent 
use, until a time comes when the person can no longer function normally 
in the absence of such drugs. In Pakistan, opium extracts (hashish and 
heroin) and Indian hemp are commonly used items. Criminology directly 
links social crimes and law and order situations to drug usage. The 
repetitive use of these chemicals causes psychological dependence. When 
financial and legal constraints make drugs unobtainable, people show 
violent behaviour and resort to theft, robbery, abduction for ransom, 
targeted killing and other street crimes. Sociology too blames addiction 
for disturbing social peace and progress.

Compulsive and persistent use of illegal chemicals makes individuals
numb to family responsibilities. People are no longer able to hold
down jobs, resulting in unemployment, poverty and poor living
standards. Marital relations can no more be sustained. This troubled
family structure can never guarantee a peaceful and stable society.
The government alone cannot force every addict to get himself admitted
to rehabilitation centres nor does it have the resources to build such
a large number of institutions. Rather the state can help by importing
technical services, information, skills and donors to let private
health service providers play their role.

Maliha Javid

Lahore
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MAP posted-by: Matt