~ By Syed Ahmad Shah
A Tragedy Before Our Eyes
How crude, how heartbreaking, to see our young brothers dumped into the abyss of drugs and nicotine. These young men are not strangers. They are sons, brothers, and even fathers. Yet they are caught in the grip of addiction, losing not only their health but their dignity as citizens of Pakistan.
They, too, deserve to laugh with their families, to live with dignity, to see the joys that life has to offer. But they cannot. And the question must be asked: why?
The Failing Role of Institutions
The Anti-Narcotics Force of Pakistan was created with a promise — to fight drug trafficking, to offer rehabilitation, to give addicts a path back into society. Yet where are the widespread rehab centers? Where are the visible awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and neighborhoods? Instead of progress, we see silence. And in that silence, more lives are being lost.
Addiction Hubs in Plain Sight
Across Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and beyond, small drug hubs thrive almost openly. Street corners, abandoned lots, and hidden spots become dens of destruction. They are not invisible — ordinary citizens can point them out. The troubling question is: if we can see them, why can’t the authorities?
The Role of Police: Protectors or Bystanders?
Local police are entrusted with protecting society, yet too often, they turn a blind eye. Bribes, negligence, or pure indifference allow these hubs to operate. Instead of treating addiction as a national emergency, it is brushed aside as someone else’s problem. And so the young men drowning in drugs remain ignored, left to waste away in silence.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
This crisis is not just about the failures of institutions. Families must not abandon their loved ones. Communities must not remain silent. Government cannot afford to stay idle. For every addict lost, Pakistan loses a piece of its strength, its future, its very soul.
Addiction is not a crime to laugh at — it is a wound to be healed. These men are not worthless. They are victims, and they are ours.
Time to Act
The path forward is clear. The Anti-Narcotics Force must deliver on its promises. Local police must step up with honesty and courage. Rehabilitation centers must be opened, awareness campaigns launched, and families empowered with resources to protect their youth.
Pakistan cannot afford to let another generation sink into this abyss. The fight against drugs is not theirs alone — it is ours. And silence is no longer an option.
