A Society in Crisis

As drug abuse tears through our homes and schools, silence remains society’s loudest accomplice.

By Ayaan Saroori

In the quiet lanes of our neighborhoods and the crowded corridors of our schools, a silent crisis is unfolding—one that does not discriminate by class, caste, or creed. Drug addiction has grown into one of the most insidious threats facing our society today, creeping into homes, tearing apart families, and robbing our youth of their futures.
This is not a sudden affliction. Drug abuse is a complex, long-standing issue that demands sustained and multifaceted efforts—awareness, prevention, rehabilitation, and most importantly, community resolve. The poison of addiction knows no boundaries; it cuts through every social division that society has constructed—be it religious, cultural, or economic. If we fail to act now, we risk losing not just individuals, but entire generations to this slow-moving catastrophe.

Today, drug addiction stands as the foremost social evil plaguing our communities. Its consequences are not only psychological or physical, but deeply emotional and cultural. Parents are witnessing their children being drawn into a world of substance abuse, often silently suffering in shame. In some cases, even when the parents are aware of their child’s addiction, fear of social stigma and dishonor prevents them from seeking help. This collective silence has allowed the crisis to spiral, with the rate of drug consumption continuing to rise.

To reverse this tide, we need more than lip service. We must encourage social workers, mental health professionals, and de-addiction teams to operate freely and effectively, supported by families and the administration alike. One of the biggest challenges remains the lack of parental cooperation—families often hesitate to acknowledge a member’s addiction, fearing public disgrace. This silence only deepens the wound. When addiction goes unreported, the opportunity for timely intervention is lost, and what might have been curable becomes chronic or even fatal.

The drugs commonly abused—cocaine, cannabis, opiates, amphetamines—are not merely urban problems or foreign imports. They are being consumed across every corner of the globe. Men, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2024, account for more than three-quarters of global drug users. The report states: “Men use more drugs than women globally, and this is especially true for substances like cannabis, amphetamines, opiates, and cocaine.”

Alarmingly, adolescents between the ages of 15 and 16 are now using drugs more frequently than adults. The same report reveals that the prevalence of cannabis use among teenagers globally stands at 5.5%, compared to 4.4% among adults—a deeply disturbing trend. In regions such as Europe and Oceania, this adolescent surge is particularly pronounced.

Worse still, the report highlights a decline in the global treatment rate for drug addicts, dropping from 11% in 2015 to just 9% in 2022. This statistic is more than a number; it’s a damning indictment of how both families and institutions have failed those who most need help. It also underscores two critical failures—first, a reluctance by parents to acknowledge addiction within the family, and second, the inadequacy of health systems in facilitating accessible and effective rehabilitation.

The path forward demands collective accountability. Local de-addiction teams and district health bodies must be empowered to identify individuals at risk and build trust-based, family-friendly interventions. The stigma around addiction must be replaced with compassion and proactive support. Parents, on their part, must assume a more engaged and vigilant role—monitoring peer groups, questioning unexplained expenses, and being emotionally available for their children.

Legal frameworks and executive orders can only go so far. The real transformation must begin at home—with conversation, care, and constant awareness. Until we as families, neighbors, and citizens rise to the challenge, no policy will suffice. The light of a home lies in the safety and well-being of its children—and it is our collective responsibility to protect that light.

Pathways to Prevention

While solutions to addiction are never easy, there are foundational steps that families and communities can adopt to build resilience:

1. Cultivate a Drug-Free Environment:
   A healthy lifestyle begins with a healthy atmosphere. In today’s world, where influences are many and trust is scarce, we must be intentional about the environments we create for our youth. Encouraging children to spend time with verified, value-driven peers—and steering them away from spaces where substance abuse is normalized—is crucial.
2. Parental Supervision and Communication:
   Too often, parents provide pocket money but never track where it’s spent. This lack of oversight breeds unaccountability. In recent years, a communication gap has widened between parents and children, leading to emotional distance. Open dialogue, trust-building, and regular check-ins are essential to restoring this lost connection.
3. Community Involvement:
   Communities must become active stakeholders in this fight. Whether through awareness rallies, street plays (nukkad nataks), or talent-based competitions in writing, sports, or music—every initiative that pulls youth towards positive pursuits helps reduce the appeal of drugs. Community-driven campaigns can instill purpose and confidence among the young.
4. Religious and Ethical Engagement:
   Religious leaders and respected civil society figures must play their part. Teachings across all faiths emphasize purity of body and mind. These voices, when raised against drug abuse at the local mohalla or neighborhood level, can inspire moral courage and cultural resistance against addiction.

A Collective Responsibility

Ultimately, drug addiction is not a problem that can be outsourced to the police or to rehabilitation centers. It begins and ends with us—with parents, with teachers, with neighbors, with policymakers, and with every citizen who refuses to look away. Our failure to act today will only fuel tomorrow’s despair.

We must support campaigns against drug addiction at an individual level, and work hand in hand with government agencies, NGOs, and law enforcement to hold drug peddlers accountable. Those who profit by selling poison to others—knowingly destroying lives—must face justice, be it through the laws of man or the judgment of God.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this Magazine.