Drug Abuse
According to World Health Organization (WHO), “a drug is any substance or product that is used or intended to be used to modify or explore physiological system or pathological states for the benefit of the recipients”.June 26 is celebrated as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking every year. It is an exercise undertaken by the world community to sensitize the people in general and the youth in particular, to the menace of drugs.
There are different types of drugs found in India.
1. Hallucinogens such as LSD, hashish, ganja and bhang. They are psychologically addictive and lead to insecurity and fear anxiety complexes.
2. Sedatives or depressants relax the central nervous system, induce sleep and provide a calming effect.Tranquilisers and barbiturates fall into this category.
3. Stimulants activate the central nervous and relieve tension, treat mild depression, induce insomnia (keep a person awake), increase alertness, counter fatigue and expressive drowsiness, and lessen aggressive inhibitors. The most widely known stimulants are amphetamines (popularly known as ‘pep-pills’), caffeine and cocaine.
4 Narcotics like sedatives, produce a depressant effect on the central nervous system. They produce feelings of pleasure, strength and superiority, » reduce,hunger, lessen inhibitions and increase suggestibility.
Drug abuse is a complex phenomenon, which has various social, cultural, biological, geographical, historical and economic aspects. Drug use, misuse or abuse is also primarily due to the nature of the drug abused, the personality of the individual and the addict’s immediate environment.
Drug addiction destroys lives, tears apart families and harms society.
A large number of NGOs and Voluntary Organization are being financially assisted under the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) of Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for education work for Prohibition, Counselling and Rehabilitative work for Alcoholics, Drug Addicts and other victims” work for prohibition and drug abuse prevention in their communities.
Under Narcotic Drugs and Psychostic Substances Act. Stringent laws are being enacted to fight against drug peddling and drug abuse.
The spread and entrenchment of drug abuse needs to be prevented, as the cost to the people, environment and economy will be colossal. The unseemly spectacle of unkempt drug abusers dotting lanes and by lanes, cinema halls and other public places should be enough to goad the authorities to act fast to remove the scourge of this social evil. Moreover, the spread of such reprehensible habits among the relatively young segment of society ought to be arrested at all cost. There is a need for the government enforcement agencies, the non-governmental philanthropic agencies, and others to collaborate and supplement each other’s efforts for a solution to the problem of drug addiction through education and legal actions.
