KARACHI: As many as 685 deaths are occurring across the globe owing to drug usage or overdose which is quite higher than the deaths resulting due to terrorism. The world’s drug economy is around $435 billion whereas about $225 billion will be required to treat drug patients globally.
These views were expressed by Joint Director of the Anti-Narcotics Force Sindh Colonel Asim during a seminar held on Thursday. The Department of Social Work, University of Karachi, organised the seminar on prevention of drug abuse at the departmental conference room.
The guests included Farheen Naveed from Drug Free Pakistan Foundation, Rev Julian Justin from Ibtida Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Faizullah Korejo, SSP Investigation, South, along with Professor Dr Ahmed Qadri, Dean, Faculty of Social Science, KU.
Colonel Asim informed the audience that narcotics are destroying our society and youth. According to him, global drug trade occurring from Afghanistan makes its way from Pakistan that’s why we are mostly affected with it.
“Karachi and Sukkur are the main hubs of narcotics in Sindh. The most recovered drug is hashish followed by heroin, opium and cocaine in Pakistan. Heroin drugs are even seized from juice bottles.
He also informed the audience that 59 percent of people of drug addicts in Pakistan are from the age group 20-29. Only one percent of drug addicts are graduates. Meanwhile, 57 percent of drug addicts are unemployed and 47 percent of drug addicts take drugs due to peer pressure.
He further shared that one gram heroine is worth $300 while the largest consignment the ANF Sindh seized till to date is 375 kilogram heroin. He claimed that the ANF Pakistan has been declared one of the best anti-narcotics agencies of the world by the United Nations Office of Drugs Control.
