Expert sounds alarm over rise in drug abuse among women

ISLAMABAD:

A renowned health expert has highlighted the worrying rise in drug consumption, particularly smoking, among women in the country and urged the government to take effective measures and launch awareness campaigns to counter this growing menace.

Speaking to a private news channel, substance abuse counsellor Zulfikar Shah urged policy makers, healthcare professionals and community leaders to join forces and tackle the growing menace of substance abuse among women before it is too late.

He expressed deep concern that the Punjab region is battling a worrying rise in cases of drug abuse among women and that schools and colleges are becoming breeding grounds for this growing scourge.

There are disturbing reports that more and more female students are becoming addicted to drugs, with many of them succumbing to the lure of illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine and prescription drugs, he added.

The easy availability, coupled with peer pressure and lack of education, has created a perfect storm that attracts at-risk female students, he said.

Educational institutions that were once considered safe havens are now struggling with the consequences of drug abuse as more and more female students from affluent and middle-class backgrounds are drawn into the vortex of addiction, he said.

The situation requires urgent attention from authorities, educators and parents to prevent the destruction of young lives and ensure that schools and universities remain places of learning and development.

As the number of women falling into drug addiction reaches unprecedented levels, the expert sounds the alarm, pointing to an impending disaster that requires immediate attention and action.

The drug abuse consultant stressed the need to address the root causes of drug abuse among women, including social isolation, lack of education and lack of economic independence.

“We need to provide women with alternative coping mechanisms and support systems to prevent them from turning to drugs,” Shah said.

Shah also called for more funding and resources to address the growing problem of drug abuse among women, stressing that a comprehensive approach involving government, civil society and the community is crucial to combat the menace.