23/06/2022
United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022.
June 24,2022.
Drug abuse, also known as Drug addiction is defined as chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite its harmful consequences. The initial decision of drug taking is voluntary but repeated uses leads to its addiction.
...Shanoji
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION
Addiction to any drug may include these general characteristics:
*Feeling that one needs the drug on a regular basis to have fun, relax or deal with your problems.
*Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grade.
*Doing things one normally wouldn’t do to obtain drugs, such as frequently borrowing money or stealing items from employer, home or school.
*Taking uncharacteristic risks, such as driving under the influence or sexually risky behaviour.
*Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming.
*No longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating with known users.
*Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviours such as frequent trips to storage rooms, restroom, basement, etc;
*Needing to use more of the drug of choice to achieve the same effects.
*Talking about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use with him.
*Feeling exhausted, depressed, hopeless, or suicidal.
RISK FACTORS
Certain factors predispose teenagers to drug abuse. These include
*Family history of substance abuse.
*History of depression and low self-esteem.
*Feelings of not fitting in, and dropping out of the mainstream.
*A smoking habit has likewise been correlated with substance abuse. Teens who smoke are eight times more likely to use ma*****na, and twenty-two times more likely to use co***ne.
WARNING SIGNS A TEENAGER IS ABUSING DRUGS
• Physical Signs: Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, lasting cough.
• Emotional Signs: Personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, poor judgment, general lack of interest.
• Family Dynamics: Starting arguments, negative attitude, breaking rules, withdrawing from family, secretiveness.
• School Behaviours’: Decreased interest, negative attitude, drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.
• Social Problems: New friends, problems with the law, changes to less conventional styles in dress and music, sudden disregard in physical appearance and requests for money that are out of the ordinary.
IMPLICATIONS
*Risk to personal safety (danger of death or injury by overdose, accident or aggression)
*Damage to health (including brain damage, liver failure, mental problems etc).
*Legal consequences (risk of imprisonment, fines and criminal record).
*Destructive behaviour (harm to self, family and friends).
*Drug dependency is also a common cause of financial problems and difficulties at work or school.
*People may lie or steal in order to continue using the drug, as a result, and may lose the trust of their friends and family.
*They may feel shame and guilt, due to repeated failures in trying to control their drug intake.
PREVENTION
*Teaching and awareness programs
*Resist peer pressure
*Manage stress and anxiety
*Increase taxes on addictive materials like ci******es
*Campaigns to appeal youth against it.
*Control on OTC medication
*Role of parents is very important.
