A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism’s physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs may be pharmacological or recreational in nature. Pharmacological drugs are those drugs which are used for health-related purposes while as the recreational drugs are mostly psychoactive and are used for recreational purposes. Drug Abuse is also known Substance abuse. It is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are harmful to the individual or others. On the basis of effects caused, drugs may be sedatives, Hypnotics, Stimulants and Analgesics. All religions forbid drug addiction. Prophet Mohammad (SAW) has said that anything which intoxicates in large quantity is also prohibited in small quantity. Sedative drugs are the drugs which have calming or relaxing effect. They reduce excitement. Hypnotics Drugs induce sleep. Stimulants stimulate nervous system and makes a person awake, alert and active. Analgesics relieve pain( Pain Killers). Drugs are broadly divided into two categories:
1. Psychotropic: They are mood altering drugs. Examples; Tranquilizers, Opioids, Stimulants.
2. Psychedelic: They cause hallucinations. Examples; Cannabinoids, Datura, Atropa belladonna, LSD. Tranquilizers, Benzodiazepines, Opioids, Cannabinoids, Cocaine, Tobacco and Amphetamines are some of the commonly used drugs. Tranquilizers calm the nervous system as they are anesthetic, depressant and sleeping drugs used against anxiety, Insomnia and Schizophrenia. Opioids are depressant, analgesic, and euphoriant drugs and are obtained from Popaver Somneferum ( Opium Poppy- it’s latex). A number of drugs are derived from opium which include Morphine, Codeine, Heroine, and Brown Sugar. Morphine is an analgesic drug and it’s receptors are present in Brain and Gut. Codein is obtained by methylation of Morphine and is also used in cough syrup. Heroine is obtained by diacetylation of Morphine. It is a depressant and slows down the body functions.It is white, odourless, bitter and crystalline compound. Smack is a by product of Heroine which is also known as poor man’s Heroine and also as Brown Sugar. Cannabinoids are hallucinogenic. It is obtained from plant Cannabis sativa. They are known for their effect on cardiovascular system. They are also abused by sports person. The drugs derived from it are: Marijuana: It is obtained from dried flower and it’s active ingredient is Delta 9- THC. Bhang is obtained from its fresh leaves. Ganja is obtained from its female inflorescence. Charas/Hashish is resinous extract. Stimulants: They include Cocaine, Tobacco and Amphetamines. Cocaine also known as Coke or Crack is isolated from Coca plant Erythroxylum coca which is native to South America. It is a euphoriant and gives huge energy. It’s excessive dosage causes hallucinations. It stimulates CNS by interfering with transport of Dopamine which is a neurotransmitter. Tobacco contains Nicotine which stimulates adrenal gland which in turn releases adrenaline and nor- adrenaline which in turn raises blood glucose level, heart rate and breathing rate. It causes mouth and lung cancer besides raising carbon-monoxide in blood. An amphetamine is a synthetic drug and is also known as superman drug and anti-sleep drug. Amphetamines have been included in dope test. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is a synthetic hallucinogen which is obtained from ergot of fruiting body of fungus Claviceps purpura. Now the question arises how an addict can be identified. A drug addict can be identified if he/she has following Signs or symptoms: Loss of Intrest, Mood swings, Weight loss, Redness of eyes, Insomnia, Anxiety, Aggressive behaviour, Sweating, Remaining in isolated rooms, Abrupt changes in attendance, Poor academic performance, Not being responsible, Lack of intrest in personal hygiene, fatigue, deteriorating relationships with family and friends.
“The menace of drug addiction needs utmost attention to prevent the society from getting engulfed by it and to prevent increasing social crime rates. The proactive role of the people, clergy, NGOs and the Government is need of the hour to curb and to eradicate the menace of drug Addiction.”
Drug Addiction occurs due to a number of causes but in almost all cases it begins with by smoking cigarettes/tobacco or by intake of alcohol which are generally referred as gateway of drugs. Some of the most common causes of drug addiction are:-
Curiosity motivates youngsters towards drug use, poor parenting and unstable family structure, influence of peer , family and society, easy availability of drugs, to escape from emotional problems(financial, material, loss of loved ones), stress from pressures to excel in academics and examinations, has played a significant role in persuading the youngsters to try drugs, unemployment, the perception among youth that it is cool or progressive to smoke, use drugs or alcohol, is also in a way a major cause for youth to start habits, television, movies, newspapers, internet also help to promote this perception. Drug Addiction causes harmful and negative effects both on the addict as well as on the society. Some of the effects of drug Addiction on the health of the addict include: The immediate adverse effects of drug Abuse are manifested in the form of reckless behaviour, vandalism, and violence, Excessive dosage of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, heart failure or cerebral hemorrhage, Those who take drugs intravenously are much more likely to acquire serious infections like AIDS and Hepatitis because of infected needles, The chronic use of alcohol and drugs damages nervous system and liver( Cirrhosis),Drop in academic performance, Respiratory failure, Cardiac arrest, Brain and lung damage, Chronic fatigue, Insomnia, Weight loss, Restlessness, Depression. Now let’s discuss impact of drug Addiction on the society: Robbery, Theft in own homes and others as well, Murder, Sexual harassment and rapes Drugs are not only injected into the body but other modes used include: Oral intake, injection, smoking, snorting, inhaling. Inhalant drugs include Spray paints, cleaning fluids, air conditioner fluids, acetone etc.
The most important aspect regarding drug Addiction that needs to be discussed is how to eradicate and avoid drug addiction. The most important remedial measures include: Physical exercise: It includes jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, Gardening, dancing, yoga etc. Exercise reduces muscle tension, regulates heart rate, increases cerebral blood flow, increases oxygen consumption in brain, reduces anxiety and depression. Healthy eating habits, Balanced diet, Avoid cigarettes and Alcohol, Drink plenty of water, Reduce quantity of tea and coffee, Sleep: It provides rest to brain, Watch TV, movies, play games, crack jokes, laugh on jokes, work on hobbies etc, Be self-confident: I have ability to overcome and I can do it,
Spiritual: Pray Salah, Recite Quran, Interpersonal: Meet people, Go on outing with friends, Talk to friends. Drug Addiction being one of the most serious social issues needs utmost attention to prevent youth taking drugs. It is well said that prevention is better than cure. Adolescents of 12-18 years of age group most likely fall prey to drug Addiction. Hence, it is best to identify the situations that may push an adolescent towards use of drugs and take remedial measures well in time. In this regard parents and teachers have a special responsibility. Some measures include:-
Avoid Undue Peer Pressure: A child should not be pushed unduly to perform beyond his threshold limits: be it studies, sports or other activities.
Education and Counseling: Education and counselling should be given to children to face problems and stresses and to accept disappointments and failures as a part of life. It would also be worthwhile to channelize the child’s energy into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga and other extracurricular activities.
Seeking Help From Parents And Peers: To get proper advise to sort out their problems, this would help young to vent their feelings of anxiety and guilt. Looking for danger signs: Alert parents and teachers need to look for and identify danger signs. Even friends, if they find someone involved in drug Addiction should bring it into the notice of parents for the best interests of the involved. Appropriate measures would then be required to diagnose the malady and then the underlying causes. This would help in initiating proper remedial steps.
Seeking Professional And Medical Help: A lot of help is available in the form of highly qualified psychologists, psychiatrists and de-addiction and rehabilitation programs to help individuals who have unfortunately got in the quagmire of drug abuse. With such help the affected individual with sufficient efforts and will power can get rid of the problem completely and lead a perfectly normal and healthy life.
The menace of drug addiction needs utmost attention to prevent the society from getting engulfed by it and to prevent increasing social crime rates. The proactive role of the people, clergy, NGOs and the Government is need of the hour to curb and to eradicate the menace of drug Addiction.
(The author is Teacher at Govt Higher Secondary School Kandoora Kashmir .The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Gulzar Ahmad Ganayee
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