In 2012, a comprehensive national study of drug use was conducted in Pakistan, providing reliable baseline information on the prevalence and patterns of drug use among the population aged 15 to 64. To generate these results, a series of surveys was conducted throughout the four provinces and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including interviews of 4,533 high-risk drug users; 58 drug treatment centre representatives; 1,198 key informants; and 51,453 participants randomly selected from the general population.
The survey results show considerable past-year use of both plant-based drugs and medical prescription drugs, particularly of cannabis, prescription opioids (painkillers), tranquilizers and sedatives, and opiates (heroin and opium). Drug use in Pakistan is highly differential by gender.