What’s Driving the Alarming Rise in Student Drug Addiction?

Manahil Mushtaq

Islamabad: “I was in 6th grade when I lit my first cigarette, just weeks after losing my mother,” recalled Saad, now a BS student at a local university.

His voice trembled as he recounted his descent into addiction. “I didn’t know what I was running from, but I knew I didn’t want to feel anything. What started as a way to numb the pain quickly turned into an addiction I couldn’t escape.”

Saad’s journey is not unique. Behind every drug-addicted student lies a story seldom heard—stories not of rebellion, but of trauma, loneliness, and silent suffering. For Saad, a single cigarette at a tender age evolved into a chain of dependencies. He did not turn to drugs for thrill; he turned to them to silence his grief.

Addiction: More Than a Health Problem

Psychologists argue that addiction rarely begins with the substance itself—it begins with what’s missing.

“Peer pressure, trauma, academic stress, low self-worth, and family conflict are among the major triggers,” explained clinical psychologist and psychosexual family therapist Dr. Sobia Khateeb. “Most young people are not looking to get high. They’re looking for relief—from grief, loneliness, or pressure to perform.”

Psychiatrist Dr. Zainab agrees, calling Saad’s case “just one thread in a growing web of youth addiction across Pakistan.” According to her, academic pressures, emotional neglect, and easy access to harmful substances are quietly fueling a crisis few openly acknowledge.

From Cigarettes to Vape Pods

Experts warn that the trend is no longer limited to traditional narcotics. Substances like vape pods, Velo, and nicotine pouches are rapidly gaining popularity, especially because they are perceived as harmless.

“These are consumed secretly, often under the impression they’re not as harmful,” said Dr. Muhammad Manshoor Hussain Abbasi, Assistant Professor at COMSATS University Islamabad. “While smoking is banned on campus, the university cannot monitor students off-campus. Within our premises, the Proctorial Board enforces strict discipline. If a student is caught, the case is reviewed, and penalties range from fines to suspension.”

But Dr. Abbasi stressed that punishment alone is not enough. “Prevention is about creating awareness and giving students reasons to say no.”

Teachers Take on New Roles

At NUML University, educator Muhammad Sanaullah Khan believes teachers must act as mentors as well as instructors.

“Conversations matter,” he told APP. “I integrate real-life cases into my lessons to show what drug use does in the long run. I also check in on students who seem withdrawn or stressed. Being an educator today means being more than a teacher you have to build trust. Only then will students come to you before they turn to drugs.”

Law Enforcement’s Tightrope

Police officials admit that student drug abuse has become a pressing concern. Waseem Raja, a senior police officer at Margalla Police Station, said youth-related drug cases are pursued rigorously.

“We track drug peddlers in collaboration with civil society. Their records are reviewed, and repeat offenders are punished under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act,” he explained. “If students are caught using drugs outside their campuses, we involve their families and institutions immediately. Counseling is the first step, but serious or repeat offenders face legal action.”

He emphasized that the approach is “both preventive and corrective”—focused not just on cutting supply chains but also on helping students recover.

A Crisis with Many Faces

The human cost of this crisis is evident. Laiba Fatima, a 21-year-old student, turned to drugs when personal problems became overwhelming. “There were too many issues in my life at once. And when you don’t have emotional support, drugs become your only way out. I’ve tried to quit, but it’s hard if you don’t have people who care,” she admitted.

On the other hand, students like Etisam ul Haq of COMSATS University show that strong support systems can make a difference. “Friends kept pushing me, ‘just try it once.’ But I was lucky. Strict parenting, a disciplined home, and supportive friends helped me stay away.”

Breaking the Silence

Experts agree that Pakistan’s student drug problem is not simply a health challenge—it is a social, educational, and moral crisis. It damages mental health, derails careers, and shatters families. Solutions, they say, require a collective response:

Families must offer stronger emotional support.

Universities and schools need to invest in counseling and awareness programs.

Governments must enforce regulations and launch campaigns to counter normalization of harmful substances.

Communities must break the stigma around mental health and addiction.

As Saad quietly reflected before ending his conversation: “If someone had just talked to me, just once to hear my grief, maybe I wouldn’t be where I am today.”