Drug abuse should be a community concern

By Ishrat Hyatt

June 27, 2016

Islamabad

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traffic is being observed throughout the world today. It is a Global Observance Day created by United Nations to raise awareness of the major problems; causes and hazards of drug addiction and illicit trafficking.

In his message on the occasion, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon says, “Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production or trafficking. Governments have a responsibility to counteract both Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse but communities can also make a major contribution. Family, schools, civil society and religious organizations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs. Business can help to legitimate livelihoods. The media can raise awareness about the danger of narcotics.”

The world today is indeed in the hand of villains who market substances for ‘recreation.’ leading to addiction and even death. According to the latest UNODC World Drug report, the number of people suffering from drug use disorder has increase disproportionately for the first time in six years. The report found nearly 250 million people between the age of fifteen and sixty five are drug users. In Pakistan, according to ANF reports, drug abusers exceed seven million in number, with three million in KPK alone.

Our society normally likes to put problems under the carpet considering drugs and other important social issues a taboo. So we do not talk about them, preferring to bury our heads in the sand, so to say. There are a number of organizations who are working to try and eradicate the menace of drug use and abuse, among them the Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation, (KKAWF) which was a pioneer to initiate a dialogue about it and espouses the motto, “Stay Clean!” It was a personal loss that motivated a mother, Cristina Afridi, to create the KKAWF to help families who suffer as a consequence of drug use.

Reaching out to get her thoughts on the occasion, Cristina said, “The work of KKAWF is to engage the youth in a four pronged programme which includes Awareness; Environment; Sports and Civic Sense. We believe that with the help and commitment of parents, schools, educationists, media; the government and the community at large, it is possible to remove this evil from our society. Drugs are a poison destroying the well-being of our youth and compromising our future generations.”

Her advice and suggestion to anyone whether it is parents or those who are in need of help - “Don’t hide. Come forward and get help! There are clinics and centers out there - you are not alone! We will help you.” Stay Clean!