Profile of drug users in Karachi city, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Drug use has been identified as a major public health issue in Pakistan. A descriptive questionnaire survey in Karachi city was made to identify the socioeconomic profile and beliefs and practices of 500 drug users. The most commonly used drugs were cocaine [19.0%] and crack-cocaine [15.0%], followed by amphetamines [11.0%], alcohol, caffeine, barbiturates and benzodiazepines [10.0% each]. Key psychological factors leading to drug use were problems with parental or marital relations or break-up of a relationship [45.0%]. Drugs were seen as an escape from stressful life events [28.0%] or feelings of failure [18.2%]. Many drug users blamed the origins of their drug use on bad social influences [47.0%] or socioeconomic problems [23.4%]. Preventive measures are needed to decrease the rate of drug addiction in Karachi