ICE ADDICTION IRE : ANGUISH MASTER PRECIS

THE ALARMING spread among teenagers of crystal methamphetamine, commonly called the ''ICE'' is pushing the young generation into a pure disastrous and perilous zone.

Once limited to certain urban circles, this deadly drug has now crept into schools and colleges and universities.

According to official research, the use of synthetic drugs has sharply increased in the last five years, - particularly among students in the developing world - seeking energy, or an escape from stress.

The tragedy is that many fall into addiction without realising its mental and physical damage which is very, very often,  irreversible.

Families are being torn apart, academic futures are being destroyed, and crime rate linked to drug use is escalating by leaps and bounds.

If this trend continues unchecked, the developing world is done in, these countries will not only face  public health disaster, but also a total social breakdown that would cripple the future generations.

WHO should treat this issue as a a priority emergency.

Educational institutions must run awareness campaigns and enforce strict vigilance on all and every campus. Law enforcement agencies should intensify their crackdown on the networks distributing this poison.

Parents, too, need to rebuild communication with their children, as silence often feeds addiction.

No society can afford complacency when the future of the youth happens to be at stake. The world most act post haste before addiction to ICE freezes the hopes of the entire world.

The World Students Society thanks Faizan Shaffiq Jamali.