National Drug Use Survey 2022-24

26 October 2022

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 27, 2022: Drug abuse has emerged as an issue potentially endangering human society in terms of health hazards, crimes, money laundering, economic & terrorism, etc. it becomes even more challenging and threatening when dynamics of drug abuse and varieties of drugs and fast-changing and spreading without any boundaries, which is leading to an exponential rise in drug abuse across the globe in general and Pakistan in specific. Pakistan, being contiguous to major drug-producing areas, is more prone and susceptible to drug abuse which has manifested in the increased number of addicts across the country.

 

Given the increased vulnerability of youth in terms of drug abuse, there is a dire need to study its dynamics in Pakistan based on factual data, to understand the underlying causes. In the backdrop, the Government of Pakistan is launching a survey called, “National Drug Use Survey 2022-23” to collect data related to trends in drugs abuse, factors behind such indulgence, and consequents impacts on the fabric of society, which shall subsequently enable the stakeholders to formulate an appropriate, comprehensive and effective policy to cope with this menace on fronts of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness.

 

Keeping in view the global nature of the challenge, we must reiterate shared responsibility. A balanced, integrated, and proactive approach shall enable the achievement of the goals and objectives of drug abuse prevention and awareness. We, therefore, need to join hands to check the spread of drug abuse to safeguard our societies.

 

This year the World Drug Report 2022 revealed an estimated 284 million people worldwide had used drugs in 2020. Cannabis remains by far the world’s most-used drug, and the report also notes an increase in the use of amphetamines. Globally, the report estimates that 11.2 million people worldwide injected drugs during the period of the study. Around half of this number were living with hepatitis C, 1.4 million were living with HIV, and 1.2 million were living with both.

 

 Dr. Jeremy Milsom Representative UNODC in his welcome remarks thanked Mr. Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, and his Ministry for their support in taking lead on the survey and U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) for their gracious financial support to conduct the national drug use survey and drug prevention and treatment interventions in the country.

 

Mr. Andrew J. Schofer – Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Islamabad in his speech thanked the Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, UNODC, and other dignitaries for their partnership. DCM Schofer further stated that “through this project, the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will support the Government of Pakistan to provide evidence-based information to shed light on changing patterns of drug use and allow for stronger implementation of programs and refinement of policies.  The United States is proud to partner with the Government of Pakistan on drug demand reduction efforts.  To date, INL has provided $24 million U.S. dollars – that’s 522 million Pakistani rupees – of support for drug treatment and prevention efforts in Pakistan.  I am also pleased to share with you that this year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the partnership between the United States and Pakistan.  The U.S. government, through INL, has invested more than 1 billion dollars over the last 40 years to improve citizen security and enhance law enforcement capacity across Pakistan.” 

 

Ms. Humaira Ahmed Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control in her speech appreciated UNODC for their technical assistance in conducting the national drug use survey and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for their generous support for the national drug use survey and drug prevention and treatment interventions in the country.