ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Narcotics Control, Government of Pakistan, U.S Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly launched the National Drug Use Survey Pakistan 2022-24 here in Islamabad on Wednesday.
In 2012 and 2013, UNODC in collaboration with the Ministry of Narcotics Control, the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and other national stakeholders conducted a national survey on drug use to estimate the extent and patterns of drug use in Pakistan.
According to a press release, the overall results of the survey revealed that approximately 6 percent of the population- 9 percent of the adult male population and 2.9 percent of the adult female population-equivalent to 6.7 million people-had used a substance other than alcohol and tobacco in the preceding year.
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 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.
Since the previous survey, there have been changing trends of drug use in the region, especially anecdotal information of a rapid increase in the use of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine.
To have scientific data on the current situation of drug use in Pakistan, the national drug use survey 2022-24 will be conducted to provide reliable evidence of the extent to which the population is using drugs and suffering from drug use disorders.
This survey will be comprised of a household survey and high-risk drug use study that will have national coverage, including the major districts in each province. This survey is being carried out jointly by the Ministry of Narcotics Control and UNODC with financial support from U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
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.
He also mentioned that the comprehensive data on drug use patterns and trends is key to developing effective prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes and the Survey report will serve to promote thoughtful discussions, inform policies and strengthen national cooperation.
Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, in his closing remarks thanked the UNODC for the technical support and the U.S Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for the financial support to carry out the National Drug Use Survey.
The Minister emphasized on the need for being strategic in the drug prevention and treatment approaches and hoped that this Survey will help by providing information to take stock of drug situation in the country and facilitate in chalking out strategies to effectively combat the challenges of drug abuse.
He stressed upon the importance of cooperation across borders to counter the growing drug use problem and urged all stakeholders to remain steadfast in their efforts to achieve the goal for a ‘drug free’ nation. The ceremony was attended by the dignitaries from Government Ministries, departments, foreign missions, UN organizations and Civil Society organizations etc.