Deadly High: The Terrifying Rise of Drug Addiction in Pakistan’s Youth

‘Picture a bright eyed 19-year-old, full of dreams and top of his class, pressured into trying cocaine at a university party. Within months, he’s skipping classes, stealing from his family, and selling his belongings for the next fix.

This isn’t just a story—it’s the tragic reality for thousands of young lives in Pakistan.’

From school corridors to university campuses, a deadly epidemic of drug abuse is silently devouring Pakistan’s youth. Ice, cocaine, heroin, and pills are no longer “hard drugs” but a casual reality for countless teenagers. The accessibility of these substances has never been higher, and the reasons behind this crisis are complex: peer pressure, economic despair, and a society that dismisses mental health struggles. One thing is clear—this is not just a problem; it’s a national emergency demanding immediate collective action.

Drug abuse isn’t solely about using illegal drugs – it also includes misusing prescription medicines, or substances like solvents all to escape reality or change one’s mood. What starts as "experimentation" and “curiosity” easily spirals into addiction — a serious brain disease that makes people crave drugs so badly that they’ll do anything to get them, even if it destroys their health, family, and future

Addiction takes over when the brain gets hooked on the pleasure the drugs bring. Over time, chasing that high becomes as essential as eating or drinking. Eventually, drugs take center stage, pushing aside everything else. Every year, an estimated 50,000 new addicts are added to the country’s drug population.

In Pakistan, the problem is even more alarming. Sitting next to the world’s largest opium-producing region: Afghanistan, Pakistan has become a key route for drug traffickers and one of the biggest heroin exporters. Karachi, the largest city of the country has the second highest cannabis consumption in the world. Reports estimate that around 50 tons of opium are smuggled into the country every year, not just for trafficking but also for local consumption — putting thousands of young lives at risk.

Heroin, by far the most widely abused drug ever since the 1980’s heroin crisis in Pakistan, is easily available and highly addictive. Interestingly, majority of heroine addicts are under the age of 24 years. Cannabis (weed / charas / marijuana) also shows great prevalence, especially as people consider it to be harmless, however, it can act as a gateway to stronger narcotics, impairing motor coordination, short-term memory, and crippling academic and professional performance.

A newer and extremely alarming addition has been Ice (Crystal Meth) which has become the number one crisis drug. Its popularity has surged in urban areas, particularly among students. Though it gives a quick high, it has devastating long-term effects on both the brain and body.  Opium and cocaine continue to wreak havoc, but perhaps the most insidious trend is the misuse of prescription drugs—sleeping pills, painkillers, and anti-anxiety medications like valium and diazepam.

According to a report by UNDP, Pakistan is one of the youngest nations in the world with 64% of its population under the age of 29, yet our demographic advantage is being overshadowed by a devastating crisis. Every day, approximately 700 people die from drug-related complications—a death toll higher than that caused by terrorism. Causes of drug abuse, are multifaceted, stemming from geographical, social, economic, emotional, and cultural factors. These interconnected influences create a breeding ground for addiction, especially among the youth.

One major factor fuelling Pakistan’s drug crisis is its geographical location. Bordering Afghanistan, which produces 90% of the world’s opium, Pakistan has become a key transit route and consumption hub. But proximity to drug-producing regions is only part of the problem. A staggering 96% of drug users cite peer pressure as a primary cause of their addiction. Young people, eager to fit in or appear "modern" and "cool," often turn to drugs to meet societal expectations.

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Drug abuse, however, doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s often a response to deeper struggles. In Pakistan, where mental health issues like depression are taking a front-seat, many people turn to drugs as a way to cope with untreated emotional pain. What starts as a quick fix for relief soon becomes a trap, pulling them deeper into addiction and making it harder to break free.

But it’s not just emotional pain that drives this crisis. Cultural influences and media play a huge role in shaping how young people see drugs. Movies, celebrities, and social media often paint drug use as glamorous, sophisticated or rebellious, making it seem like a way to gain respect or fit in. For young people struggling with low self-esteem or the need to impress their peers, this false image can be dangerously appealing.

Approximately 9 million of the population in Pakistan are drug abusers, and the high levels of economic frustration play a major role in this drug abuse crisis. With nearly one-third of the population living below the poverty line, rampant unemployment and bleak prospects for the younger generation, many struggle to make ends meet. For some, drugs offer a temporary escape from the stress and hopelessness of their daily lives. This economic imbalance drives people, especially in underprivileged areas, to turn to illicit substances for relief.

Universities and academic institutes, once symbols of growth and opportunity, have tragically become breeding grounds for addiction. Shockingly, 71% of drug abusers in Pakistan are under 35, and campuses are at the epicenter of this crisis. Senior students, often addicts themselves, normalize drug use for newcomers, framing it as a way to fit in or cope with academic stress. Freshers, seeing their seniors juggle addiction with academic success, are lured into the false belief that drugs can boost their social status or ease their pressures.

To make matters worse, some teachers are also part of this toxic cycle, using drugs and even dealing with the same suppliers as their students.

With drugs easily available on campuses and little to no oversight, addiction spirals out of control. Students are not just users — many become dealers, trading substances in a dangerous, self-sustaining network. The lack of regulation ensures the cycle continues, trapping young minds in a deadly grip and robbing them of their potential.

Studies reveal that peer pressure, educational stress, and curiosity are the top reasons students fall into addiction. Even more alarming is that nearly 50% of urban addicts are school and college-going students, predominantly from elite private institutions. These students skip classes, isolate themselves from their families, and drain their pocket money on drugs, sacrificing their futures for temporary escapes.

The ripple effects are devastating. Addiction doesn’t just harm individuals—it steals productive human capital, leaving businesses and institutions grappling with poor employee health, high absenteeism, and wasted potential. The very youth who should be driving Pakistan’s progress are instead falling victim to drugs and busy parents, unaware of the dangers lurking in their children's lives, leave them vulnerable to influences that can destroy their future.

To combat Pakistan’s growing drug abuse crisis, we need a united, urgent effort that starts at home and extends to national institutions. This isn’t just a university problem—it’s a threat to our future, economy, and society.

First, universities must take responsibility. Strict codes of conduct and zero-tolerance policies should be enforced, with random drug checks on campuses and hostels. Health education programs must go beyond lectures, using survivor stories, media campaigns, and interactive workshops to show the real-life consequences of drug abuse. Life skills training should also be integrated into curricula, teaching students how to manage stress, peer pressure, and anxiety without resorting to substances.

However, institutions alone cannot solve this crisis. Parents and families must play an active role. Open conversations about drugs, emotional support, and vigilant supervision are crucial, especially for teenagers and young adults.

Finally, young people need healthy outlets to channel their energy. Sports, art, music, and other creative activities are tools that can provide positive alternatives, helping them cope with challenges and steering them away from the destructive path of drugs.

Every addict lost to this crisis is a future worker, innovator, and contributor, now trapped in a vicious cycle. Drug abuse is becoming a generational catastrophe, if we don’t act now, this silent epidemic will consume our youth, cripple our economy, and erase any hope for progress. The question isn’t whether we can afford to fight this crisis—it’s whether we can afford not to.

The clock is ticking, and the cost of inaction is a future we may never recover.

Will we rise to the challenge, or will we let an entire generation slip through our fingers? The choice is ours—and the time to choose is now!

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For further reading and references, see the list below:

• Ahmed, B., Yousaf, F. N., Saud, M., & Ahmad, A. (2020). Youth at risk: The alarming issue of drug addiction in academic institutions in Pakistan. Children and Youth Services Review.

•  Chuadry MA, et al. Prevalence of Drug Use among University Students in Pakistan. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2022;12:1-10.

•  Khan, H., Chaudhary, I. A., & Sajid, I. U. Familial and Socio-Cultural Factors Contributing to the Rising Trend of Drug Addiction in Youth in Pakistan.

•  Sajid, M. A., Tatlah, I. A., & Butt, I. H. (2020). Causes of drug abuse among university students in pakistan: Variation by gender and drug type. Pakistan Social Sciences Review.

•  Soomro, S., Qureshi, M. B., & Baloch, F. (2014). Drug addiction scenario in Pakistan effects and consequences over youth. Grassroots, 48(2).

•  Tarar, M. A., & Khan, Z. (2022). Sociological Study about prevention of drug among Children and Adolescents in Pakistan. Journal of development and social sciences.

•  United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2013). World drug report 2013. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

•  Yaqub, F. (2013). Pakistan's drug problem. The Lancet, 381(9884), 2153-2154.

• Image sourced by Vecteezy.