Pakistan is currently experiencing a concerning rise in youth drug abuse and suicide rates, as highlighted by a recent review of rehabilitation cases. The study revealed that heroin and cannabis are the primary substances abused by young individuals, with heroin accounting for 48% and cannabis for 28% of cases.
A significant portion of drug users, about 35%, initiated substance abuse during adolescence, with 46% later diagnosed with comorbid depression. A survey conducted at Karachi University in 2024 indicated that 44% of university and college students, including 53% of males and 31% of females, admitted to drug use, with an increasing trend in online drug procurement.
Reports indicate that suicide has become the fourth leading cause of death among Pakistanis under 30, with adolescents aged 15 to 18 being particularly vulnerable. The common methods of suicide identified were poisoning and hanging, but official statistics are scarce due to the criminalization and stigma surrounding suicide.
Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force has issued warnings about the potential risks faced by millions aged 18 to 31, despite some methodological gaps. A longitudinal clinical review from 2025 documented a rise in drug positivity rates over fifteen years, with cannabis, opioids, and benzodiazepines being the most prevalent substances.
Over 70% of identified addicts were above 35 years old, with economic challenges, easy access to Afghan-sourced drugs, and untreated mental health issues contributing to the crisis. Estimates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime suggest that around 6-7 million Pakistanis, approximately 6% of the population, use drugs, with about four million requiring structured treatment.
In terms of provinces, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported a drug prevalence rate of 11%, while suicide rates in Pakistan stand at around 8.9 per 100,000 individuals, with male rates significantly higher than female rates. Data from Punjab between 2016 and 2020 indicated that individuals aged 19 to 39 accounted for nearly 39% of reported cases, with poisoning and strangulation being common methods, and underlying factors such as poverty and domestic conflicts were identified.
The Express Tribune highlighted the cultural aspects contributing to the crisis in Pakistan, emphasizing the need to address foundational issues related to parenting, societal norms, and mental health stigma to effectively combat the rising numbers of drug abuse and suicides.
