I WOULD like to narrate how drug addicts and alcoholics have made horrible the lives of the residents of my street on Sanda Road, Lahore. A large number of elderly people and teenagers (mostly either working in shops and unemployed) have taken to addiction of drugs and drinks.

Every morning the street cleaner collects a number of bottles dropped in a corner of the street, mostly broken. Once after midnight, I was awakened by an irritating noise. I went to the terrace and saw a drunken person walking into the street. I couldn’t understand what he was actually saying but he seemed to be abusing a lot. He was also knocking every one’s doors. Nobody paid attention to him but it was horrifying and pitiable.

I also noticed teenagers talking very proudly about drinking every day.

Drunken brawls, abuses and then the screaming and yelling spoil the environment of other residents.

Many families have left this residential area but no one in the street dares take any action against it. People have been restricted to their houses after evening or night.

The number of drug takers and alcohol drinkers is increasing in which adults are a majority. It is having a negative impact on children.

If this is not stopped soon, it may reach my home one day. The government should take strict action and the police should honestly try to control the situation.