The Ministry of Narcotics Control, the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly launched the National Drug Use Survey Pakistan 2022-24 here on Wednesday.
On the occasion, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shazain Bugti thanked the UNODC for technical support and the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for the financial support to carry out the National Drug Use Survey in Pakistan.
He emphasized the need for being strategic in the drug prevention and treatment approach and hoped that the survey will help by providing information to take stock of the drug abuse situation in the country and facilitate chalking out strategies to effectively combat the challenges of drug abuse.
He stressed the importance of cooperation to deal with the drug abuse problem and urged all stakeholders to remain steadfast in their efforts to achieve the goal of a drug-free nation.
Federal Secretary Narcotics Control Humaira Ahmed appreciated UNODC for their technical assistance in conducting the national drug use survey and the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for their generous support for the national drug use survey prevention and treatment interventions in the country.
Representatives of UNODC Dr. Jeremy Milsom thanked the ministry of narcotics control for the support in taking lead on the survey and INL for their gracious financial support to conduct the national drug use survey and drug prevention and treatment interventions in the country.
Deputy Chief of Mission of the US embassy in Pakistan Andrew J. Schofer thanked the federal minister for Narcotics UNODC and other dignitaries for their partnership.
He said, “Through this project, the US embassy’s international narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will support the government of Pakistan to provide evidence-based information to shed light on changing patterns of drug use allow for stronger implementation of programs and refinement of policies.”
“I am pleased to share with you that this year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the partnership between the United Sates and Pakistan. The US government through INL has invested more than $1 billion dollar over the last 40 years to improve citizen security and enhance law enforcement capacity across Pakistan,” he added.
Chief of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation section UNODC Vienna office Ms. Giovanna Campello thanked the Ministry of narcotics control, INL, and the participants for showing their concern about the drug situation and the importance of the national drug use survey in Pakistan.
The overall results of the survey revealed that approximately six percent of the population – nine percent of the adult male population and 2.9 percent of the adult female population – equivalent to 6.7 million people – had used a substance other than alcohol and tobacco in the year preceding the survey.
This year the World Drug Report 2022 revealed an estimated 284 million people worldwide had used drugs in 2020. Cannabis remains by far the world’s most-used drug, and the report also notes an increase in the use of amphetamines.
The national drug use survey 2022-24 will be conducted to provide reliable evidence of the extent to which the population is using drugs and suffering from drug use disorder. The survey will be comprised of a household survey and a high-risk drug use study that will have national coverage, including the major districts in each province.
