CHANGES IN OPIOD ABUSE IN PAKISTAN 1979-1994

Abstract

This paper describes the changes in pattern of opiod abuse and highlights the demographic differences among the old opium addicts and new heroin users who attended the Model Drug Abuse Treatment, Rehabilitation and Counselling Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, during the period 1979-1994. The Sociodemographic characteristics of opium users have not changed significantly over 15 years and represent a very different social group from the heroin abusers. Heroin addicts show a clear change over time, reaching a peak in 1988 to 90 and declining there after, whereas referrals for opium addiction show no such pattern. The findings are discussed in terms of the possible mechanisms underlying this shift with special reference to socio-cultural changes.