(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By: Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Bhatti)
Indeed, drug misuse has become a deeply ingrained societal challenge, steadily undermining Pakistan’s socioeconomic fabric. Shockingly, nearly 6.7 million Pakistanis reportedly abuse controlled substances, with cannabis remaining the most commonly used drug, while heroin addiction affects hundreds of thousands across the country. Consequently, cannabis, opioids, cocaine, and a growing variety of synthetic narcotics not only endanger personal health but also threaten public safety and national stability.
Moreover, June 26, designated as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the UNODC, offers a vital moment to unite society against this scourge. Interestingly, the 2026 theme emphasizes community-led prevention, stronger treatment programs, and the elimination of stigma, highlighting that long-term solutions require both empathy and collective action.
Substance abuse, clinically recognized as addiction, involves the compulsive and often uncontrolled use of narcotics that alter mood or relieve pain but eventually cause severe physical and psychological harm. While hard drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and ICE have especially devastating consequences, even so-called “soft drugs” such as marijuana, sedatives, and certain prescription medications can gradually lead to serious health complications. Alarmingly, Pakistan’s youth, comprising 64% of the population, remain particularly vulnerable; a complex mix of peer pressure, family discord, academic stress, unemployment, and social uncertainty often pushes young people toward these destructive coping mechanisms.
Geographically speaking, Pakistan lies within the Golden Crescent alongside Afghanistan and Iran, acting as both a transit and consumption hub for opiates. Historically, the Golden Crescent has surpassed Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle in narcotics production, and as a result, a significant share of Afghan opiates destined for international markets continues to pass through Pakistan’s land and maritime routes. Against this backdrop, law enforcement has expanded its operational reach to confront the challenge.
Notably, RPO DIG Faisalabad Sohail Akhtar Sukhera has promoted multi-modal, multi-sectoral strategies to curb crime and dismantle drug networks at the grassroots level. Through intelligence-driven operations, targeted raids, and community engagement, thousands of individuals, including professional drug peddlers, habitual offenders, and addicts occupying public spaces, have been apprehended. In one recent operation alone, over 2,800 people were detained from marketplaces, transit hubs, and educational institutions, with hundreds subsequently booked for criminal involvement.
Furthermore, Sohail Akhtar Sukhera has devised activity-based intervention modules to foster confidence, resilience, and decision-making skills among students, enabling them to withstand peer pressure and refrain from indulging in negative behaviours such as drug abuse. Simultaneously, he actively engages community stakeholders, including business leaders, educators, and civil society actors, to develop cooperative crime-prevention frameworks that strengthen information sharing, enhance neighbourhood safety, and reinforce the principle that public security is a shared responsibility.
Legally, the Control of Narcotic Substances Act (CNSA) of 1997 provides the framework for prosecuting drug traffickers, prescribing life imprisonment or even the death penalty for trafficking substantial quantities of narcotics. Nevertheless, long prison sentences alone are insufficient; comprehensive prevention, expanded rehabilitation services, and the de-stigmatization of treatment seekers are urgently required.
Beyond health consequences, the drug trade carries profound social and economic repercussions. Illicit drugs erode community trust, fuel crime, foster corruption, and divert vast sums into informal economies, thereby undermining legitimate growth. Meanwhile, addiction places immense pressure on families and healthcare systems, particularly in areas where social support and medical infrastructure remain weak or non-existent.
Recognizing addiction as a medical and social issue rather than merely a criminal offense, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has established model treatment and rehabilitation facilities across Pakistan. However, the sheer magnitude of the problem necessitates hundreds more such institutions, especially in regions grappling with youth unemployment and social dislocation. Only through comprehensive, accessible, and sustained treatment pathways can individuals break the cycle of dependency and reintegrate into society as productive citizens.
Therefore, on World Drug Day 2026, Pakistan must reaffirm its commitment to building resilient communities, enhancing educational and employment opportunities for youth, and strengthening inter-agency coordination to dismantle domestic and transnational drug networks. Clearly, police, ANF, customs authorities, paramilitary forces, and community partners must act in unison to make drug abuse and illicit trafficking both less profitable and less pervasive.
Ultimately, combating the drug menace demands unwavering political will, social cohesion, and sustained collective effort that prioritizes human dignity, prevention, and rehabilitation. Through shared resolve and coordinated action, the devastation caused by addiction can be reduced, bringing society closer to safety, opportunity and well-being for all its members.
