'Drug abuse reaches its epidemic proportion in Pakistan'

The consumption of hard and soft drugs has reached its epidemic proportion in Pakistan as many spots in the provincial capital have become lucrative hubs for its consumption by the youth, said Consultant for Anti-Narcotics Syed Zulfiqar Hussain.
Shah was speaking at an award giving ceremony held to mark "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking" at a local hotel on Monday.
The consultant claimed that around 27 places in Lahore which include Ghari Shua, Chauburji Park, Ali Park, Data Darbar, Lari Ada, Royal Park, Ravi Road, Lohari Gate, Bhatti Gate, Nasir Bagh, Mozang, Railway Station, Nisbat Road, Laksmi Chowk, Davis Road and Band Road are the major spots of injection drug users (IDUs).
He said the total population of Lahore has reached 12 million and it is very unfortunate that a number of addicts can easily be found in public places using drugs. After Karachi, Lahore city has become the second place where drug addiction is very high and mostly people are the IDUs, he claimed.
To address the situation, Zulfiqar requested the government to announce provincial drug policy by taking all relevant stakeholders on board.
"All prohibited drugs are being sold openly without the prescription of an authentic doctor at the medical stores and there is no check and balance at all," he said while demanding an effective intervention of the provincial health department.
According to the consultant, many children or youngsters are still using "Sheesha" with drugs and the parents of such kids are very upset about its easy availability and its drastic impact on the physical and mental health of their children.
Faisalabad University Vice-Chancellor Zahir Javed Paracha said the youth can play a vital role in curbing the menace of drug addiction from the society.
"The problem of drug addiction is increasing day-by-day in our youth. Our youngsters use hard and soft drugs in cafes," he mentioned.
Director Colleges Lahore Division, Zafar Inyat Anujm, Senior Advisor Colombo Plan, Muhammad Ayub and DSP Narcotics Investigation Cell Lahore Police, Syed Zafar Abbas Naqvi also spoke on the occasion. Prof Shahnaz Sattar, Principal Govt Degree College for Women, Anchor Fahad Shahbaz Khan, Producer Syed Usman, journalist Waqar Ghuman and Kubra Imtiaz were also spoken on the occasion. Journalists, NGO representatives received the awards.