World Anti-Narcotics Day observed

The representative of NWFP-based NGO quoted the survey report of the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted last year, in which it was revealed that Afghanistan is the largest producer of narcotics worldwide with an estimation of 93 per cent of global opiates market. The survey also said that 193,000 hectares of opium poppies were cultivated with an increase of 17 per cent over 2006. Though counter-narcotic and related counter-insurgency measures have been the national priorities for several years, little was known about the threat of drug use.

Shoaib said that more than 2,500 reported cases of HIV positive had been reported in various parts of Pakistan since the disease was officially acknowledged in late 80's. However, many believe the actual figures were much higher around 70,000.

He told that he social factors such as unemployment leading to pure boredom were the main reasons for the abuse. Drugs like heroin were becoming more readily available at a cost of more than Rs 100 per gram in unpurified form, however, most of the illegal substances were coming in from Afghanistan via NWFP. "A bumper crop is expected this year, following the fall of the Taliban," he added.

Commenting on the history of drug supply in the country, he said that the drugs particularly heroin introduced in Pakistan in 1979 after three mega events like Ziaul Haq regime, Afghan War, and Iranian Revolution. Before that Europe was the biggest international drug market, where the drugs had been smuggled there from Afghanistan via Iran and Turkey and this route was called golden crescent because of its shape.