Drug abuse has been one of the major social problems in Nepal with an increasing number of people, especially youths, becoming addicted to it. Drugs are chemicals that affect the users' body as well as brain. Persons may take drugs through various ways such as injection, inhalation and ingestion. Studies have shown that various drugs can have different effects on health of the users. Some of them may have severe health consequences. Such effects may be permanent. Once addicted to a harmful drug, a person may keep suffering from its effects even after s/he stops taking the substance. Mostly, drugs cause huge amounts of dopamine in the brain. This is a neurotransmitter that helps control human emotions, motivation and feelings of pleasure. And drugs can change workings of the brain and meddle with a person’s ability to make decisions and choices. This may cause intense cravings in the person and lead him/her to habitual drug use.

It is worrying to note that Nepal has seen a continuous rise in the number of drug users. As per the Nepal Drug Users Survey 2019, the number of drug users in the country stood at 130,424 last year. Of then, 8,732 were female. The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) from October 30 to December 1 last year, in technical support from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). This is the latest survey to portray the situation of drug users in the country. In 2012, the number was at 91,534 while only 46,309 drug users were reported in 2006. The survey shows that the annual growth rate of drug users in 2019 was at 5.06 per cent, which was at 11.36 per cent in 2012. Needless to say, the country’s development efforts might be obstructed when energetic youths are engaged in illicit drug trade and abuse. Making the survey report public at the MoHA Tuesday, Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ said that the increased involvement of youths in the drug trade and abuse had hampered the process of nation building. He also called for stopping the use of drugs and their smuggling to protect human civilisation, culture and social fabric.

Drug abuse is clinically known as substance use disorder. A person may turn out to be an addict due to the habitual consumption of addictive substances. Alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens and opioids are the main addictive substances. Drug addiction may have numerous side effects on the users. They range from a weakened immune system, increased risk of illness and infection, nausea, abdominal pain, weight loss, heart attack to liver and brain damage. Bad health can lead to death. Many youths are found addicted to drugs in absence of proper guidance and care from their families. Peer pressure, inquisitiveness and lack of awareness are the key factors leading youths to drug addiction. Poverty and joblessness are also responsible for leading youths to this severe social scourge. Therefore, the families and communities have an important role in preventing youths from being pushed into drug abuse. Police and other relevant government authorities must intensify efforts to contain this problem.