Perception of Local Communities Towards the Role of Police in Controlling Drug Activities: A Case Study from Chakwal, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates community perceptions of police performance in controlling drug-related activities within District Chakwal, Pakistan. The research focused on the jurisdiction of Police Station Dhudial and its adjoining villages. Employing a simple random sampling technique, 120 respondents were selected without regard to social class, education, age, or gender. Data were collected through a structured, close-ended interview schedule, and a t-test was applied to assess gender-based differences in satisfaction with police efforts to combat drug-related issues. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between male and female respondents in their level of satisfaction with police performance. Approximately one-third of the respondents reported personally witnessing drug users and sellers in public spaces, including roads, streets, and hotels. The majority of participants perceived that the police had been largely ineffective in reducing drug supply and addiction within the community. A minor proportion of the respondents expressed satisfaction with overall police performance, and roughly one-third indicated satisfaction with the adequacy of police staffing at the local station. These findings underscore the need for enhanced police capacity, community engagement, and policy interventions aimed at mitigating drug-related problems at the local level.

Keywords: Satisfaction, Drug Activities, Performance, Police Station.