KARACHI: Speakers at a seminar on the threat of drug abuse in educational institutions on Wednesday called for collective action from the government, educators, and parents to protect students and restore the integrity of learning environments.

They expressed these views during the 22nd interactive session of ZU Dialogues — Youth at Risk: The Growing Threat of Drug Addiction in Educational Institutions — held at Ziauddin University.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the alarming rise of drug abuse within educational institutions, focusing on identifying root causes and fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and parents to protect campuses.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Salman Shahzad, a prominent professor of clinical psychology at the University of Karachi, highlighted alarming statistics from a 2019 World Bank report, revealing that “43 per cent of youth are using meth, alcohol, and other substances”.

He further noted that in Pakistan’s northern regions, nearly half of the child population has access to drugs, with 44.9pc having consumed alcohol. These stark figures underscore the urgent need for national intervention and decisive action to address this escalating crisis.

Dr Sarah Jehangir, Principal of the College of Clinical Psychology at ZU, stressed the importance of engaging with youth about drug use in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner.

“It is crucial to have conversations with your children at home and students at school. Rather than asking why they take drugs, ask if it benefits them, and then begin the counselling process,” she advised.

Dr Jehangir highlighted key factors such as stress, peer pressure, and socio-economic challenges that contribute to substance use among students. “Open dialogues with young people, parents, and educators are essential in guiding them toward recovery,” she concluded.

Dr Umair Mahmood Siddiqui, a distinguished Islamic scholar and former member of the Council of Islamic Ideology, emphasised that a well-rounded upbringing — encompassing ethical, physical, aesthetic, intellectual, and spiritual nourishment—is essential for raising children effectively.

He highlighted the importance of integrating spirituality into the educational journey from schools to universities. “Spiritual and ethical guidance is crucial in helping children resist harmful influences and lead purposeful lives,” Dr Siddiqui stated.

Former Pakistani cricketer Sikandar Bakht emphasised the critical importance of parents maintaining open lines of communication with their children.

“It is essential not to isolate your kids; engage with them,” Mr Bakht advised, urging parents to be more than just authority figures but also friends to their children.

He underscored the vital role of family in preventing substance abuse, stating, “Parents bear the greatest responsibility in safeguarding against drug addiction among students and youth.”

Speaking on the occasion, ZU Pro-Chancellor Prof Dr Nida Hussain underscored the gravity of the escalating crisis. She said:

“Drug addiction in our educational institutions is a ticking time bomb, threatening to obliterate the future of an entire generation. This is not a minor issue—it’s a full-blown crisis. With each day of inaction, more students fall prey to substances that devastate their minds, shatter their lives, and turn our campuses into breeding grounds for addiction,” she said.

“If we don’t take immediate and drastic measures, we are not just endangering their futures—we are witnessing their descent into irreversible destruction, one hit at a time. This is a war, and we are losing. We must wake up our youth,” she added.

She emphasised that “our campuses, once sanctuaries of learning, are being exploited by organised networks as distribution centres for illicit substances. At Ziauddin University, we enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy on drugs.” She cautioned that educational institutions, which are meant to nurture and protect students, now face the risk of becoming hotbeds for drug abuse.

Dr Hussain called for immediate and collective action from educators, parents, policymakers, and communities to protect students and restore the integrity of these learning environments, ensuring they remain spaces of growth and intellectual development.

In his concluding remarks, ZU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Inayatullah Khan underscored the critical need for unified efforts to combat the escalating threat of drug addiction within educational institutions. He reaffirmed the university’s unwavering commitment to fostering a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2024