Drug dependence: a threat to society

ABSTRACT

To highlight the general trend of drug abuse in Karachi, age group of addicts, their background, reasons for drug abuse and response of family, friends and society and steps necessary to eliminate this problem. Study is on 200 addicts, conducted in Government Hospitals, Private Rehabilitation Centers and three different areas in Karachi. Out of 200 addicts 95 percent were males. At the time of interview majority of addicts were between 10-20 years. The sources of drug supply were friends and drug peddlers mostly. Main reason for starting the drug was stress and friends. Heroin was the most commonly used drug, those who took Charas as initial drug ended up switching over to Heroin. Majority was willing to quite the drug but most of them were brought for treatment by family, friends, neighbours or police. Out of those treated many restarted the drug because of the friends or refusal by family or society to give them a second chance. Few had police record. Addiction is wide spread amongst the youth with major problem being stress due to domestic and financial problems, joblessness. The main cause being amendable needing help from doctor, family, friends, society and government