New drug making inroad into Chitral

CHITRAL: Along the availability of charas, opium and other drugs, the sale of ice (crystal methamphetamine or meth) has also made an inroad into Chitral.

A health official said that crystal methamphetamine stimulates the brain and nervous system. It is a stronger and more addictive drug than its powder form, methamphetamine (speed).

According to data shared with Chitral Today by the Lower Chitral police, in the year 2023 as many as 45 people were arrested for peddling or possessing this drug. In 2022, the number of arrests was three while so far in the current year the police have nabbed nine persons. Out of the total 57 suspects arrested, one was a woman.

The woman was arrested after recovery of 72 grams of crystal methamphetamine from her house located at Zargaran Deh on March 16 this year.

The police recovered 79 gram ice in the year 2022 and 3.7 kg in 2023. However, in the three months of the current, the quantity of ice (meth) seized has increased to 548 grams.

The increasing use of drugs, especially homemade liquor and opium, by young people and the arrival of this new drug is fast becoming a social evil in Chitral. Even though the cultivation of charas has been eliminated from Chitral, its availability and use by the local youth has increased.

Locals say charas is being smuggled into Chitral from other districts of KP. This shows either failure or connivance of law enforcement agencies in proliferation of charas in Chitral.