With over 8 million people in Pakistan struggling with drug addiction, and 700 lives lost daily, the impact is devastating—especially among students. The real challenge lies not in the scale of the problem, but in whether we can unite to confront it before it consumes the future.

According to the World Drug Report 2020, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), over 8 million people in Pakistan, aged 15 to 64, frequently consume drugs, with an annual usage of approximately 44 tons. Additionally, 700 people lose their lives every day due to drug-related complications. The lethal threat of drug misuse in Pakistan has also permeated educational campuses. Students and teenagers who use drugs and narcotics face serious and long-lasting consequences, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, delinquent behavior such as theft and robbery, illicit sexual activity, vandalism, violence, strained relationships, and an increased risk of overdosing.
Organizations like the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) play a crucial role in combating drug abuse through Drug Supply Reduction (DSR) and Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives to safeguard the future. However, unhooking students from addiction, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, supporting drug addicts, and promoting rehabilitation require collective efforts.
Prevalence of Drug Abuse in Pakistan
Having more than thirty percent of its population between the ages of 15 and 29, Pakistan is the fifth most populous state with 241.5 million inhabitants, according to the results of the 2023 national census. Academic institutes in Pakistan are; therefore, instrumental in reducing the rising incidence of substance-abuse among the youth. According to recent surveys drug addiction amongst Pakistani students attending educational institutions has alarmingly increased.  As per the findings of a study conducted by the Pakistan Narcotics Control Board (PNCB), 44 percent of college and university students consume narcotics.
These results have led to drug use and abuse in Pakistani universities becoming a significant social issue for the nation. The 16-24 age bracket, which makes up the majority of Pakistan's population, is increasingly vulnerable to drug addiction, posing a serious threat to the country's youth. It is alarming to learn that nearly half of the students attending colleges and high schools in prestigious private institutions, particularly in major cities, have struggled with drug dependency. According to a concerning survey, 57 percent of students in Lahore’s school system admitted to using at least one illegal substance. The easy availability of dangerous substances, including heroin, cannabis, cigarettes, tranquilizers, and performance-enhancing drugs, is driving this troubling trend of narcotics abuse.
Drug addiction among students in Pakistani schools negatively affects their performance due to the easy availability of drugs, social pressure, and anxiety, all of which collectively contribute to lower academic achievement. Moreover, drug abuse impairs memory, focus, and mental agility, leading to poor grades, difficulty managing assignments, trouble concentrating in class, and, ultimately, students failing classes or grades.
Narcotics abuse also weakens interpersonal relationships, increases delinquent behavior, and worsens mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. The problem is further aggravated by factors like peer pressure, lack of awareness about the risks of narcotics, and academic stress.
To address this issue, educational institutions must prioritize awareness and prevention programs, offer peer support and psychological counseling, and enforce strict regulations against drug use on school premises. These measures can help mitigate the harm caused by narcotics abuse and create a safer, healthier learning environment.
Root Causes
According to research conducted by Major General Muhammad Asim Iqbal and his team in a higher secondary college in Northern Punjab, several root causes were identified as contributing to substance abuse among young learners in educational institutions. The study concluded that a combination of factors, including students' desire to escape difficulties and challenges, dysfunctional family dynamics, and a lack of effective communication, plays a significant role in fostering substance addiction. Additionally, peer pressure from classmates or social circles involved in drug abuse further reinforces these addiction patterns.
Moreover, the problem is exacerbated by internal conflict brought on by feelings of inadequacy, intense pressure to perform well academically and students’ rebellious spirit and non-conformist approach. Additionally, some students abuse substances due to their curiosity, need for thrill, urge to decompress, reduce tension and/or to feel euphoric. These interrelated elements combine to form a perfect storm that can send at-risk kids down a destructive road. 
What has often exacerbated the issue is the easy availability of narcotics in Pakistan, largely due to its proximity to Afghanistan. As a neighboring country, Afghanistan serves as the primary supplier of illegal drugs that make their way into Pakistan. This challenge is further influenced by various factors, including limited employment opportunities, a growing number of graduates in need of skills development, evolving educational needs, and economic pressures.
Breaking the Chains: ANF’s Role
The ANF in Pakistan has been actively combating drug dependence and abuse in schools and colleges nationwide. To address the growing issue of narcotics abuse, the ANF organized outreach training programs in collaboration with The University of Lahore (UOL). These initiatives aimed to educate staff, instructors, and students about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the importance of maintaining drug-free campuses.
The ANF conducted lectures to raise awareness among faculty and students about the consequences of drug abuse and strategies for creating substance-free educational environments. As part of their efforts, the ANF sought to recruit activists and campus ambassadors dedicated to promoting a drug-free culture in educational institutions. To further curb drug abuse and trafficking, the ANF Vigilance Squad regularly patrolled areas surrounding educational facilities.
The ANF also supports the National Anti-Narcotics Policy 2019, which outlines objectives such as reducing the availability of drugs, decreasing consumer demand, and fostering cross-border cooperation. The policy focuses on eliminating poppy cultivation, preventing illicit drug trade, and strengthening law enforcement efforts. The ANF has seized drugs and apprehended individuals involved in the illegal drug trade, demonstrating its commitment to reducing drug availability and preventing its spread in educational settings.
Overall, the ANF's initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to addressing drug addiction and substance abuse in Pakistan's educational institutions.
Unhooking Addiction: Way Forward
The title of this article, "Unhooking Addiction," calls for readers to focus on Pakistan's substance abuse problem. The country stands at a critical juncture, and its future can only be secured through collective effort. In this evolving landscape, a unified approach is essential. Now is the time to confront this menace together and strive for a brighter, drug-free future.
• Reducing Incidence Rates. Providing medical training and strictly enforcing legislative regulations are essential to lowering the incidence of drug abuse. Adherence to the university's code of ethics is crucial to limit students' easy access to drugs. Universities must strictly implement and monitor their anti-narcotics policies.
• Shaping Perceptions. Students should be educated about the long-term consequences of drug use and offered safe and healthy recreational options to reshape their views on entertainment and leisure. Monitoring media content, such as music and movies that normalize drug use, is necessary to change perceptions among young learners.
• Encouraging Recreational Activities. To prevent students from turning to drugs, colleges should provide engaging and healthy recreational opportunities. Activities like chess and golf can promote mental and physical development over time and help students adopt healthier lifestyles.
• Life Skills Training. Teenagers, in particular, should receive life skills training to equip them to handle challenging situations effectively.
• Promoting Personal Responsibility. Students need to understand that staying substance-free requires a personal commitment that extends beyond the responsibilities of educational institutions or the government.
• Student Engagement. Establishing student unions and anti-narcotics clubs can foster engagement and raise awareness about the risks of drug abuse. Institutions should support existing student organizations and actively oversee their activities to ensure positive outcomes.
Involving Friends and Family. Friends and family play a pivotal role in preventing and managing drug abuse among students. Their involvement is critical for effective prevention.
• Collaborative Efforts. Achieving meaningful results requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including government-educational institution partnerships, civil society involvement, and parent-teacher-student coalitions.
• Peer Support and Early Intervention. Volunteer students and ambassadors in educational institutions should be trained to identify psychological and physiological signs of drug use. These volunteers should prioritize confidentiality when referring peers to professional counselors or school-based support groups. Early diagnosis enables timely intervention, preventing further harm and helping students in need.
• Random Drug Screening. Campus administrations should implement random drug screenings to establish a deterrent system. Such screenings should carry serious consequences. Over time, fear of testing may discourage habitual users, deter potential users, and prompt some to quit their drug habits altogether.
• Addressing Socioeconomic Factors. Socioeconomic challenges such as hunger, poverty, lack of education, and overpopulation can push students toward drug abuse during their school years. Both federal and provincial governments must address these underlying issues to protect students from falling victim to substance abuse.
Although the ANF has played a key role in reducing both the demand and supply of narcotics in Pakistan, it would be unwise to rely solely on the organization. The literate citizens of Pakistan must collectively work towards resolving this issue. A united front is necessary to combat drug addiction in the country’s educational institutions. Hundreds of drug-related fatalities each day pose a significant threat to the nation's future. While the ANF has made progress in awareness, prevention, and deterrence, a coordinated strategy is still essential. To protect vulnerable students, all stakeholders— including but not limited to instructors, legislators, families of those affected, and civil society organizations— must collaborate.
Training in life skills, promoting healthy recreational alternatives, and educating students about the dangers of drugs are key strategies. Peer-led initiatives, student clubs, and anti-drug societies can encourage involvement and support. Community engagement, strict university policies, and routine drug testing are also vital. Only through collective efforts can this menace be effectively addressed and overcome.

The writer holds an MPhil degree in International Relations from National Defense University, Islamabad. 
E-mail: [email protected]

References
• Channer, Dr. Asif. 2024. Drug Addiction in Pakistan. January 8. https://www.nation.com.pk/08-Jan-2024/drug-addiction-in-pakistan.
• Chuadry, Muhammad Asif. 2022. "Prevalence of Drug Use among University Students." Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research. 
• Control, Ministry of Narcotics. 2023. Year Book 2022-2023. Organizational Report, Islamabad: Ministry of Narcotics Control.
• Crime, United Nations Office on Drugs and. 2023. World Drug Report 2023. Organizational Report, Vienna: UN.
• Dawn. 2024. Alarm raised over deadly mix of youth, drug abuse. May 16. https://www.dawn.com/news/1833690.
• Iqbal, Major General Muhammad Asim. 2020. Substance Abuse in Schools: A Proposed Action Plan. July. https://hilal.gov.pk/view-article.php?i=3824.
• Tribune, Express. 2024. 44 percent students use drugs: report. August 22. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2489992/44-students-use-drugs-report.