Drug Addiction: The Silent Killer

 

Drug Addiction: The Silent Killer

The word 'drug' was originally used for 'medicine'. However, nowadays the term 'drug' means not only medicine but also the fatal narcotics that include cocaine, heroin, brown sugar and many others.These drugs harm both the mind and body. Because of this, drug addiction has become a serious global problem. More and more people are getting addicted to these harmful substances, ruining their lives and harming society.

Understanding Drug Addiction

Drug addiction means being physically dependent on drugs. It is a condition where a person cannot live normally without taking drugs. It is the constant need of a substance for regular survival.

The reason for this constant dependence is the pleasure principle. People become addicted because drugs stimulate the brain's pleasure centers. When someone uses a drug for the first time, it makes them feel good. They start using drugs to forget pain, sorrow, or to escape reality. 

Drug addicts cannot perform their daily tasks properly because drugs harm their physical and mental health. Over time, they need more and more drugs to escape reality and feel good. If they are not allowed to take the drugs, they experience severe pain, vomiting, depression, and other health issues.

Drugs are taken in various forms. Some are taken through injection, some are smoked and some are chewed and swallowed.

Factors Responsible for Drug Addiction

The following factors are responsible for drug addiction among youth:

Peer Pressure: Teenagers and young people take drugs to fit in with their friends because they fear non-acceptance in a social circle.

To Feel Good: Drugs create feelings of pleasure and reduce stress. Drugs affect the brain and give a false sense of happiness. Young people often use drugs to escape depression, anxiety, or physical pain.

Curiosity: Young people like to try new things, especially things that seem exciting or risky. This curiosity makes them experiment with drugs, which later turns into addiction.

Easy Access/ Easy Availability: Drugs are easily available through secret and illegal sources/channels, making it simple for young people to try them.

Low Self-Esteem: Many teenagers have low confidence. They feel they are not good enough. To feel better, they start using drugs and alcohol.

Influence of Popular Culture: Movies, TV shows, social media, and advertisements make drugs look like an acceptable act. This is why more young people start using them.

Urbanisation: The processes of industrialisation, urbanisation and migration have weakened old social rules. This makes people more stressed and vulnerable to drug addiction.

Impacts of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction has many short-term and long-term effects on the body and mind. It affects almost every organ of the body.

Physical Health: Drug abuse/addiction weakens the immune system, increases the risk of severe illness and infection, and damages organs like the heart, liver, and lungs. It can cause many types of cancer such as lung, throat, mouth and tongue cancers, increased risks of infertility and nasal damage.

Mental Health: Drugs change brain chemistry, causing mood swings, memory loss, confusion, poor decision-making, and even brain damage. Many addicts may become aggressive, paranoid, or lose self-control.

Behavioral Issues: Drug addiction often leads to risky behaviors such as crime, violence, and anti-social activities.

Social Life: Young people addicted to drugs often lose opportunities in education and employment. They also damage their relationships with family and friends, affecting their social well-being.

Solutions to This Problem

Drug addiction is a growing issue, especially among youth. To prevent it, we need to take several steps:

Education and Awareness: Young people should be taught about the harmful effects of drugs. Awareness programs should be run in schools, colleges, and communities.

Family Support: Parents and family members should support children in difficult times. They should talk to them, understand their problems, and help them avoid bad habits. Parents should try to motivate their children and understand what they really want in life. Every child is different from the other and parents should really try to understand their children's expectations to avoid any cases related to alcohol or drug abuse.

Role of Media: The entertainment industry must stop showing drug use in a positive way. Social media, movies, and TV shows should stop glorifying drug use.

Role of NGOs: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a key role in fighting drug addiction. They help in spreading awareness and supporting addicts in quitting drugs.

Strict Laws: There is an urgent requirement of strict laws and regulations in breaking the chain of hidden, illegal networks used to supply drugs to individuals. There should be strong actions against those who sell drugs illegally.

Community Involvement: Schools, families, and local communities should work together to keep young people away from drugs.

Initiatives taken by the Government

The government has launched many programs to fight drug addiction. Some of them are:

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985: prohibits a person for producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, transporting, storing or consuming any narcotic or psychotropic substance.

National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse (NFCDA): This fund helps in fighting illegal drug trade and supporting addicts in recovery.

Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India Campaign): This campaign spreads awareness and helps communities fight drug addiction.

Conclusion

Life is full of challenges. But the decisions people make have a big impact on their future. Choosing to take drugs can destroy health, studies, careers, and relationships. It is always better to stay away from drugs and focus on positive things in life. People should face their problems with courage instead of escaping them by using drugs and alcohol. The best advice for young people is to stay calm, think before entering the world of addiction.