Combating Drug Menace

Drug addiction has become one of the curses of our times, a menace that threatens public health and results in the dissolution of human personality, promoting conditions for various forms of human degradation, whose consequences spread to crime and lawlessness. Drug (substance) abuse has become a worldwide menace. No part of the world is free from the curse of drug addiction. Drug abuse has emerged as a serious concern, adversely affecting the physical and socio-economic well-being of the country. It has an enormous presence in public health across various sections of society.

Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain and lead to addiction. The brain changes from addiction can be lasting, so drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease. This means that people in recovery are at risk for taking drugs again, even after years of not taking them.

Several factors are causing the drug menace. One major factor is the lack of awareness regarding the consequences of drug addiction and how it hurts a person’s psychological and physical health, relationships, life, etc.  Many parents are negligent about their children and their activities. This creates a distance between the parents and their children, which makes some children easy prey to drug addiction.  Schools and colleges also lack proper rules to keep an eye on their students.

There is a lack of serious concern and action by parents, society and the state in eliminating drug trafficking. The involvement of influential persons in drug abuse and trafficking must be discouraged through the implementation of laws and strict action. In some countries, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, etc., the punishment for drug trafficking may also lead to the death penalty. Drug addiction causes social disharmony in society and mental agony to all the family members of the drug addict. 

A drug addict faces several health complications, such as depression, insomnia, paranoia, mood swings, anxiety, hallucinations, memory loss, etc. Exposure to chronic usage of drugs may also lead to liver failure, kidney damage and cardiovascular diseases. It increases the crime rate due to the violent behaviour of drug addicts. Sharing the same syringe while taking drugs leads to the spread of AIDS and hepatitis. 

Various reasons have contributed to the rise in the number of drug addicts. They include increasing economic stress, changing cultural values, experimentation of neurotic pleasure and ineffective policing. In addition to detrimental effects on health, drug abuse generates violence and destroys the financial conditions of affected persons and families. It gives rise to cases of violence against women, resulting in the break of marriage and social relations. 

In conclusion, public awareness is the only way to solve this crisis. The government, community and NGOs should take up this campaign and go for mass awareness programmes in the country. The life of youth is very important considering their contribution to future economy so sincere and effective steps are needed to save the young population and maintain peace and harmony in the family and society as a whole.