Pakistan Country Profile

Flag of Pakistan Country Profile
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Drug policy

  • Pakistan has a joint policy for alcohol, drug abuse and mental health
  • The Pakistan government supports treatment and rehabilitation for people with SUD
  • Pakistan has specialist drug courts to monitor the narcotics situation in Pakistan

Treatment Services

  • In order to ensure evidence based treatment is being provided at rehabilitation centres donor-funded “train-the-trainer” educate professionals dealing with addicts about best practice.
  • There are inpatient and outpatient medical detoxification services for drug abuse.
  • Pharmacotherapy is available for alcohol withdrawal and opioid dependency
  • There is limited institutional capacity to serve women

Prevention Services

  • Mass media programmes are implemented to prevent SUD in Pakistan
  • Both community and school based programmes are provided to help raise awareness and provide support
  • In terms of harm reduction Pakistan provides needle exchange programmes
  • There are restrictions for on-/off-premise sales of alcoholic and on alcohol sales and advertisement
  • NGOs are involved in drug prevention through delivering awareness campaigns particularly targeting youths, teachers and vulnerable members of the community.
  • Eradication of poppy cultivation.
  • Alternative options to poppy cultivation offered to farmers.