The document discusses drug addiction as a chronic brain disease, highlighting that 6.7 million people are affected in Pakistan, where drug use prevalence is alarming. It outlines various social and environmental factors contributing to the addiction crisis, including the influx of Afghan refugees in the 1980s and the limited availability of treatment facilities for those in need. The negative health and social consequences of drug use are emphasized, including increased rates of infectious diseases and the impact on youth.

2. Drug addiction has been characterized by the National Institute on
Drug Abuse as a complex and chronic brain disease.
According to the Drug Abuse Board, Any chemical substance that
brings out physical, emotional or behavioral changes in a person
taking it.
People who have a drug addiction experience compulsive, sometimes
uncontrollable, craving for their drug of choice. Typically, they will
continue to seek and use drugs in spite of experiencing extremely
negative consequences as a result of using.

3. Pakistan become a major exporter of heroin in 1980s,
following the influx of Afghan refugees escaping the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan 1979.
Widespread drug may be indicated by the fact that almost 5%
adult population is using drugs in Pakistan & also in some areas
Child addicts drug.
Approximately, There are 6.7 million Drug Addicts in
Pakistan.
One drug addicts spends around Rs. 150. per day.
There are only 96 structured and 34 low threshold services
and treatment centers run by the government, NGOs, and
private sectors which can only accommodate 200,000 people.

4. Worryingly, there is an
increase in the number of
injection drug users which
correspondingly increases
the prevalence of infectious
diseases such as HIV, hepatitis
B and C.
Cigarette
Alcohol/ wine
Tobacco
Gutkha
Heroin
Marijuana
Naswar/ ‫ناس‬

5. Curiosity & excitement through use.
Despair & frustration among the youth.
 Some patients are addicts because they try to follow the
western culture of drugs & enjoyment of life.
All drug addicts in our country are afraid of social stigma more
than the threat from the law.
The poor criminal justice system

6. Exposure from peers.
Use by Parents.
Availability.
Genetics.
Poor Family environment.
Psychological problems.
Personality.
Feelings of Depression.
Job stress.
Unemployment.
Poverty.
Marital Problems.
Loneliness.
Loss of loved one.
Social and family stresses.
Closer to area of production
like Afghanistan.
Lack of Education.
Smuggling and illegal drug
trade in Pakistan.
Lack of control on sale of
drugs.

7. Less parental attention.
Many children in slum area are going to school and in the
process take drugs.
Many poor children have to work early.
“Girls are now using more drugs than boys,” Dr Muhammad
Zaman, Director, Sociology Department, Quaid-i-Azam
University, said expressing concern at the increasing influence
of drug mafias in educational institutes.

8. Mentally, Physically, Socially & financially.
Dangerously increased heart rate & blood pressure.
Hepatitis through shared needles.
Violent behavior.
Clinical depression.
Sleeplessness.
Liver, Lung, & kidney impairment.
Sudden death (heart attack or stoke).
Drug Addiction also involved in Environment pollution.
Crimes, Poverty, Violation of law and order.