An Analysis of Drug Abuse Networking in Pakistan

There are three principal reasons for undertaking the present paper. First, although all the dimensions of diffusion of drug abuse are still uncertain and the existence and extent of Drug Abuse Networking (DAN) is certainly not the only factor determining the likelihood of the spread of drug abuse. Nevertheless, one of the prime modes of its spread is through DAN. The extent of DAN and the diffusion of drug abuse in society are closely related to each other [Brook, Nomura and Cohen (1989, 1989a, 1992); Kornhauser (1978); Elliott, Huizinge and Dunford (1983); Delemarre (1993)]. Second, the network analysis provides an important instrumental element to deal with social problems and to uncover the information for intervention in specific groups of the community for the well-being of its members [Uehara (1990); Wellman and Scott (1990); Brook, Nomura, and Cohen (1980); Coombs (1973); Thompson (1973); Eggert, Thompson, Herting, Nicholas and Dicker (1994); Gould (1991)]. Last, the issues of DAN’s dynamics and its control have received little attention in literature relevant to Pakistan or elsewhere. It is also considered important from the policy point of view to determine the dynamics of DAN in Pakistan on the basis of experimental research.1 It is hoped that this paper will help in the attainment of these goals. It addresses the subject from different perspectives, but the major aim is to help develop and establish methodologies in the context of Pakistan. Such research may help those involved in making the policies and in controlling the diffusion of drug abuse in Pakistan.