The term drug has now been given a new connotation. It was used originally to mean medicine. However now a days, the term ‘drug’ means not only medicine, but also the fatal narcotics that include cocaine, heroin, brown sugar and many other specifications. All these drugs have their evil effects on the mind and body cells of the addicts. According to the latest data given by National Institute of Drug Abuse in terms of Nepal, it is found that the large number of drug addicts have been found to be between the ages 16 to 20. The abuse of drugs has led not only to drug addiction but also to the incidence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Among 60 thousand drug abusers, the number of IDU’s is estimated to be 20 thousand and 60% of these IDU’s are HIV positive.
The
young generations, particularly teenagers are the worst victims of evils of
drug addiction. Drug addiction (also called substance use disorder) is a brain
disease. The addict becomes dependent on the drug. The addict uses it, despite
having full knowledge of its harmful effects on health. It is considered as a
brain disease because it changes the structure and functioning of the brain.
There are some characteristics of drug users such as red eyes and runny nose,
sudden mood changes, change of friends, loss of appetite etc. Nowadays, drug
addiction proves to be major and serious problem in our country. The reasons
why a young person gets addicted to these harmful drugs are many such as
curiosities, desire for pleasure, social exon-communication, mental gap, lack
of reliance is some of the common reasons why these youth becomes a drug
addict. Even lack of self-confidence, peer pressure, excessive stress, lack of
parental involvement in child’s activities are also among the leading causes
for drug addiction among youth and teen people.
Similarly,
the mentioned causes have also proved to be a vital social problem. This
problem is rapidly increasing especially in urban regions. The teenagers have
been victimized by this problem. The boys of high schools and higher secondary
schools are fond to have been drug addicts. The percentage of the school girls
who have been intoxicated in drugs is very low. Researchers have traditionally
observed that men have had higher rates of substance use and abuse than woman. The
link between drug addiction and crime is not difficult to fathom. It includes
the following crimes in the society related to abusing drugs such as stealing
money or property to get money for drugs. It also includes the crimes stemming
from associating with others involved in illegal activity such as organized
crime or gangs. Violent crimes are also associated with drug use and activity,
and it is common for a person to use drugs or alcohol before committing a crime
or to have been using at the time the crime was committed.
There
are some certain preventive and remedial measures for dealing with the problem
of drug abuse. The Government must use all the media to propagate against the
habit of drug taking. Voluntary organizations should pay more attention to
instruct addicts how to give the bad habit. Similarly, parents should pay more
care, attention and love to their sons and daughters. Reading of moral and
religious books is also helpful to addicts. And lastly, the police must act
fearlessly to cat against the people involved in drug trafficking.
To
conclude, let us all decide today that we will never use any drugs. We should
all stand together to fight against this massive problem. We should not let
ourselves to be caught up in the web of drug addiction. There are so many
things that we can do it to get ourselves clean and not affected in order to
lead a healthy lifestyle. Remember that a thousand-mile journey always begins
with one step and to take it one day at a time.
Thank
You
