Substance abuse amongst women in urban Pakistan exists in almost all segments of society with its more prevalence among high society and lower economic classes.

These findings and many more unspoken truths were shared in a research study ‘Substance Abuse amongst Women in Pakistan: Relationship with Domestic Violence’ published by the Ministry of Narcotics Control. The findings were shared by Sarah Javed, the lead consultant for the study, at an advocacy workshop organised by the ministry here on Tuesday.

The study indicates that substance abuse among women exists in all segments but due to social and cultural stigmas attached to the drug abuse, it is difficult to track and deal with the issue. The study was based on structured interviews with 400 female drug abusers in five major cities of Pakistan, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar.

The research shows that most of the respondents were uneducated but a significant percentage had college or university level education. Around 15 per cent had masters or university level education whereas 32 per cent had college education. Most of the women were more in younger age bracket of less than 40 years indicating that younger women were more vulnerable in terms of substance abuse.

The study found that more than half of the addict women were married followed by single or unmarried women. Remaining 21 per cent were divorced, widowed or separated from their spouses. Almost half of the women (49 per cent) were living in joint families, 42 per cent in nuclear families where 8.2 per cent were living on their own.

Interestingly, 40 per cent of the respondents were housewives whereas the husbands of 40 per cents were also involved in substance abuse. Around 12 per cent said that their brothers also take drugs. Majority (68 per cent) said that they take drugs to seek pleasure whereas others use drugs due to stressful life or easy availability.

Among the total respondents, 47 per cent were using ‘chars’ followed by Heroine (16 per cent) and Opium (14 per cent). The report sows that the designer’s drug is not very popular among women mainly because it is expensive and is not easily available In most cases, the husbands of the respondents were the main source of income followed by father and than the addicts themselves. Majority said that they use drug either at home or some other private home like friends place. Only 11 per cent mentioned hostels and dorms. Around 57 per cent women were taking drugs when alone.

Out of total 400 respondents, only 87 had ever gone for treatment or rehabilitation. According to more than 60 per cent of those who attended these facilities said that it is difficult to access these facilities. “Most of these centres only offer detoxification services and quality counselling services are rarely available in these facilities. That is one big reason for the relapse in drug addicts that come to these centres,” said Sarah.

She said that the relationship between violence and drug abuse could not be directly determined by the study but findings do indicate that mostly violence occurred due to economic pressure and mood swings of the drug addict regardless of gender or abuser. “The respondent herself and then the children were other mentionable victims of the violence.” The report recommends that the demand side of the drug use should be focused through sensitisation, awareness, involvement of public leaders and anti drug campaigns. “In addition to taking stringent measures to control supply side, it is equally important to focus on demand side,” said Joint Secretary for Ministry of Narcotics Control Mian Muhammad Zulqarnain. He was the chief guest on the occasion.

He stressed to keep in mind that around the world, only five percent of the drugs are caught during transportation where as 95 per cent safely reaches its destiny. “This makes it more important to create awareness about the negative impact of drug abuse as it is not very easy to control the supply mechanism.” He said that drug sellers on streets and markets are the biggest challenge for drug control authorities and it is the responsibility of police to catch them. “There is an equal responsibility of the community to indicate these elements in their localities,” he said adding that collective measures are required to cut supply of drugs.

The report also demands that the rehabilitation centres should have proper secrecy for women and also the arrangement of proper psychotherapy. “The ministry is also planning to form a core group of medical experts to provide this treatment to women at home,” said Director General, Ministry of Narcotics Control Muhammad Shahid.

Shahid said that no comprehensive drug abuse survey has been conducted in the country in past. He said that the drug abuse has doubled in past five years. Sharing future plans of government, he said that Ministry of Narcotics Control plans to conduct a nation wide survey of drug abuse in the country where 200 thousand families will be studied. “The ministry will complete the survey by the end of this year.” The research suggests that educational institutions especially youth should be involved in health activities to eradicate the use of substance. It recommends education and sensitisation of drug user groups of commercial sex workers and jail mates, lactating mothers and childbearing women about negative impact of drug abuse upon their children.