A growing trend of glue-sniffing among minors in Mardan has raised concern among residents and social activists, who are calling for urgent intervention to prevent vulnerable children from falling prey to substance abuse. According to local residents, children have increasingly been seen inhaling adhesive products commonly known as “Samad Bond” at various public places in the city. They said such incidents were particularly noticeable around bus terminals and some vehicle repair workshops, where vulnerable children were frequently found.
Root Causes Identified by Social Activists
Homegrown Poultry Solution Social activists attributed the growing problem to a combination of poverty, homelessness, family neglect, school dropout and the easy availability of adhesive chemicals. They warned that unless immediate preventive measures were introduced, more children could become addicted to harmful substances.
Health Risks Highlighted by Medical Experts
Medical experts cautioned that prolonged inhalation of adhesive fumes could have serious and lasting effects on children’s physical and mental health. They said the practice could impair brain development, damage memory and cognitive function, cause respiratory complications and lead to other long-term neurological and behavioural disorders.
Call for Coordinated Action
Climate Change and Urban Pollution Residents urged the district administration, police, Social Welfare Department, Education Department and child protection authorities to take coordinated action to address the issue. They called for stricter monitoring of bus terminals, markets and workshops where vulnerable children gather, tighter regulation of the sale of adhesive products to minors and the launch of effective rehabilitation and counselling programmes for affected children. They also stressed the need for awareness campaigns involving schools, parents and local communities to educate children about the dangers of inhalant abuse and encourage early intervention.
Warning of Wider Social Impact
Acid Attack Citizens warned that if the issue continued to be ignored, glue-sniffing among minors could develop into a wider social and public health challenge, with long-term consequences for the well-being and future of the younger generation.
