DRUG ADDICTION

Drug abuse is the no-lenient consumption of a certain substance that may prompt physical and mental reliance. Illegal drugs are consumed by about 208 million people around the world. Youngsters are the most affected by drugs and alcohol. Every individual whether in a town, city, community, family, school or college is affected by drugs and alcohol, directly or indirectly. Twenty-three million people, mostly above 12 years, are drug addicts who are affecting more people around them; for example, their parents, neighbours, siblings and friends, etc. In Pakistan, over 800,000 people between the age of 15 and 64 are addicted to using heroin regularly, as showed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). According to the reports, almost 44 tons of heroin is consumed every year in Pakistan. This ratio is two to three times higher than the United States, which is considered the highest consumer of heroin.

In Pakistan, the total number of drug addicts as per a UN report is 7.6 million, where 78% are male while the rest 22% are female. The number of these addicts is increasing at 40,000 per year, making Pakistan one of the most drug-affected countries in the world. The most disturbing fact is that most of these heroin addicts are under the age of 24. The reports and figures presented by the UN about the drug abusers to government entities are 1/3 of the actual number of addicted people.

WEG took several initiatives to eradicate the drugs abuse among the youth by making them aware of the perils of this addiction and engaging parents and teachers in this role so they can influence the behavioral transformation of children.

Key Initiatives

Of the Youth, By the Youth, For the Youth

WEG developed a comprehensive model of stakeholder engagement, putting the youth as the primary focus with the slogan “of the youth, by the youth, for the youth”. This was a tri-dimensional advancement in which parents were engaged to raise awareness and consciousness so they can save their child from falling prey to drug abuse. A lot of awareness material was produced like skits, public service messages and brochures to educate youth at the grass-root level.

Mass Awareness

WEG arranged short 15-minute radio plays and talk shows to create awareness among the public about the potential threats of drugs abuse and motivate them to not only avoid it themselves but also help others come out of this killer addiction.