Young Lives In Peril  

Rabbia Arshad

Lahore: Abdullah, a 17-year-old in his second year of studies, became entangled with cocaine at the age of 16 during a hostel event, driven by a desire to fit in with a “cool” group. What initially started as an attempt to appear exciting soon escalated into a weekly cocaine habit, resulting in addiction and a notable decline in his academic performance.

To sustain his drug use, Abdullah resorted to taking out loans, which further exacerbated his problems, both physically and emotionally. The turning point arrived when Abdullah’s closest friend confronted him about their deteriorating relationship.

This moment of reckoning prompted Abdullah to recognize that cocaine had gained an unrelenting hold on his life. Together, they made the courageous decision to seek assistance from a rehabilitation center, marking a pivotal step on the path to recovery.

Abdullah’s struggle is not an isolated case; there are hundreds of thousands of young people in Pakistan grappling with drug addiction. The lack of awareness, as well as the absence of adequate rehabilitation and treatment facilities, compounds their difficulties.

Approximately 6.7 million people used substances in Pakistan: Drug Survey 2022

Farazay, a 15-year-old girl, endured significant hardship following the death of her father when she was 14. The girl, who lived in a low-income area with a high rate of drug abuse, turned to heroin as a coping technique after experiencing anger and frustration as a result of her mother’s emotional isolation and favoritism towards her twin sister.

Her addiction led to prostitution to support her habit, resulting in frequent school absences and school complaints. Her mother imposed a curfew after a neighbor informed her of Farazay’s drug use. Farazay, on the other hand, escaped and died of a heroin overdose two days later. She was found unconscious on the street and shifted to the hospital, where the overdose was confirmed by a doctor.

According to the World Health Organisation’s 2020 report, mental disorders account for 4 percent of the overall disease burden in Pakistan, with a higher prevalence among women. In Pakistan, an estimated 24 million individuals need psychiatric care. According to the report, most psychologists and consultants believe that a significant number of students, about 5 to 6 in each class, are involved in drug usage.

Mental health is vital for teenagers and young adults, as it influences their future and the well-being of society. In the digital age, people of all ages seek to understand and navigate the digital world safely. However, some teenagers, while trying to cope with life’s challenges, may turn to drug abuse as a temporary escape.

Regrettably, the resources allocated for the screening and treatment of mental health conditions are insufficient to meet the growing needs.

The WHO data reveals that Pakistan has a mere 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest figures not only in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region but globally as well.

Mental disorders account for 4% of the overall disease burden in Pakistan, with a higher prevalence among women: WHO Report 2022

Media Shapes Minds: Ameesha, a teenage girl, emphasized the influence of social media on young people. She noted that the impact of social media depends on an individual’s willpower. If trends align with one’s interests, like making money from art, it can be a positive experience.

However, she pointed out that many influencers promote negative trends, creating a sense of inadequacy in those who don’t follow them.

The teenager stressed the importance of parents staying informed about their children, as young people have become adept at hiding their activities. Many children are struggling with stress and become trapped in these issues without knowing how to seek help due to fear. She suggested the need for a polite awareness campaign to educate parents and older adults on guiding their younger family members away from negative trends.

Ameesha also highlighted that addiction isn’t limited to drugs but extends to phone and social media use. Spending hours aimlessly on a phone can be considered an addiction. She gave an example of feeling compelled to buy a new phone solely to maintain social status, deeming it unreasonable.

Common Reasons: Dr Saima Dawood, a Professor at Punjab University’s Centre for Clinical Psychology, identified three common reasons for youth turning to drugs: academic and peer pressure, having addicted family members, and societal pressures related to education.

For example, middle or lower economic-class parents enrolling their children in expensive English schools, without affording associated luxuries, can damage teenagers’ self-esteem. In such cases, stress often hinders their academic focus and goal achievement.

Dr Saima emphasized that teenagers often resort to self-medication instead of seeking professional help, which can lead to drug tolerance and long-term health consequences.

Most psychologists and consultants believe that a significant number of students, about 5 to 6 in each class, are involved in drug usage: Survey

She also discussed the role of stimulants in drug addiction, which are easily available to doctors and nurses. These substances enhance wakefulness and mental alertness initially but, with continued use, alter blood chemistry, becoming addictive. Addiction can also be triggered by thrill-seeking behavior.

She stressed the need to destigmatize mental health issues to encourage addicts to seek help from qualified psychologists. She also warned against unqualified psychologists, as they can prolong illnesses and misuse personal information for blackmail. She emphasized that everyone has a personal detection system for early signs of addiction.

Syed Zulfiqar Hussain, an anti-drug campaign consultant, observed that drug abuse is especially prevalent among those under 18 years old, reaching approximately 40 to 60 percent. Many children end up in the care of grandparents or leave their homes due to conflicts, neglect, or fear, making them vulnerable to criminal gangs and substance abuse, such as the drug ice. Even in affluent households, parents often struggle with their drug-addicted children.

Zulfiqar emphasized that individuals battling addiction can develop mental health issues like psychosis. The prolonged use of substances like hemp, ice, and chemically mixed hashish often leads to these problems. He stressed the need for regular surveys and research to inform government policies.

Regarding recovery rates for drug addicts, he noted that relapses and the relocation of individuals for rehabilitation can complicate data collection. Once someone reaches chronic drug use, recovery becomes extremely difficult and may even have fatal outcomes.

Bushra Iqbal Hussain, the founder of the Mehfooz Bachpan page, discussed youth drug addiction. She shared the story of a traumatized teenager who resorted to drugs as a coping mechanism after a childhood ordeal. The stigma surrounding addiction prevented the teenager’s parents from seeking help. Ms. Hussain shared her observation that the impact of social media, socioeconomic disparities, and a sense of injustice can lead young people to turn to drugs for solace. In conflict zones and war-torn areas, drugs often serve as an escape from harsh realities.

Pakistan has a mere 0.19 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest figures not only in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region but globally as well. Report

Diving into Solutions: Dr Saima offered strategies to tackle youth drug addiction, including educational materials on recognizing early signs, preventive measures in educational institutions, and creating accessible resources and directories for qualified mental health professionals and services.

Additionally, she suggested government incentives to make psychiatric services more affordable. She recommended awareness campaigns similar to COVID-19 campaigns, through TV, radio, and mobile phones, and specialized lectures on anger and stress management for teenagers. Finally, she emphasized the shift in children’s activities toward screen-based engagement due to the scarcity of playgrounds, and she suggested that the government and the community should create a safer environment with more physical activity opportunities for youth.

Ammar Anwar, Senior School Head at First Steps – School of Arts & Sciences in Faisalabad, emphasized the pressing issue of youth mental health and drug usage.

He emphasized the need for psychologists in schools and the inclusion of mental health education in the curriculum. Anwar called for government-initiated pilot projects to hire psychologists in public schools and then make mental health education mandatory in private schools. He noted the under diagnosis of conditions like autism in Pakistan. The rise of social media and networking sites has expanded peer pressure beyond the school environment, creating a global and 24/7 connected community.

About 9% of adult males and 2.9% of adult females use substance:Drug Survey

He stressed the importance of guiding children in managing screen time, resisting peer pressure, and addressing abusive relationships in the digital age. He also pointed out the transition from physical bullying to cyberbullying and how some children turn to drugs to cope with stress and depression.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Narcotics Control launched the National Drug Use Survey in 2022. According to the survey, approximately 6 percent of the population, or equivalent to 6.7 million people, had used substances other than alcohol and tobacco in the preceding year. This figure breaks down to 9 percent of adult males and 2.9 percent of adult females

Rabbia Arshad is a Lahore-based freelancer writing on human rights issues.