LOWER DIR: The number of drug addicts and mentally retarded people increasing with each passing day and despite growing demand for medical support, the area lacks the necessary infrastructure to address these serious concerns.
At present, there is no fully operational government rehabilitation centre available in the district to treat drug addiction. A handful of private facilities are present, but they are financially inaccessible for most locals, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Health professionals in the region are increasingly alarmed by the surge in drug use, particularly among the youth. Substances like methamphetamine (ice), cannabis (charas), and other narcotics are becoming disturbingly common. Families dealing with addiction often face social stigma and limited treatment options, leaving them with few choices for recovery.
Simultaneously, the number of people suffering from mental health issues is climbing. Experts link this rise to factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, family stress, and a lack of awareness. However, qualified mental health professionals are extremely scarce in the region. Most operate through private clinics, which again, remain beyond the financial reach of much of the population.
Even key public health institutions such as the District Headquarters Hospital in Timergara are not equipped with dedicated psychiatric wards or staff trained in mental healthcare, making even basic treatment difficult to access.
In response, local NGOs and civil society leaders have urged the government to take immediate action by setting up both drug rehabilitation centres and mental health clinics in Lower Dir. They also emphasise the need for public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage timely intervention.
A local activist, speaking with Pakhtunkhwa Digital, described the situation as critical and said that “Drug abuse and mental illness have moved beyond personal problems — they now represent a growing threat to our entire community. If steps aren’t taken soon, the future of our youth will be at risk.”
With the crisis worsening, all eyes are on the authorities to deliver concrete solutions. Until then, residents of Lower Dir continue to bear the burden of a broken mental health and addiction care system, largely on their own.The affected young people said that they are not too much affected from the addicting and they need a little help of the government to restore to previous lives. They termed house hold issues responsible for their health degradation.
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