Essay (Effect of Drug Abuse)
Essay (Effect of Drug Abuse)
Essay (Effect of Drug Abuse)
What is DRUG?
Drugs are chemical compounds that affect the mind and body. The exact
effects vary among individuals and also depend on the drug, dosage, and delivery
method. Using any drug, even in moderation or according to a medical
prescription, can have short – term effects or physical effect and long – term
effects.
Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the
purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain. There are over 190 million
drug users around the world and the problem has been increasing at alarming rates,
especially among young adults under the age of 30, many young adults are now in
acts of abusing drugs in wrong way without been concern about the effect it has to
their health, career and life. Apart from the long term damage to the body drug
abuse causes, drug addicts who use needles are also at risk of contracting HIV and
hepatitis B and C infections.
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. Addiction of any form is dangerous. What is even more
worse is that mostly young children and youth are hit by this storm. Most illicit use
of drugs starts at the age of 16-17 years of age. It starts with merely smoking of
cigarettes and gradually drowns the person into the trap of drug abuse. Stress,
anxiety, peer pressure, poverty are some of the main causes of drug abuse.As is
well said –“it is never too late”. Therefore, we all need to focus strictly on this
important matter now. Government should set targets to reduce the drug-abuse
levels.
It should ensure that efficient preventive measure are been taken. At our
individual level we should contribute effectively in eradicating this problem.
Besides, it is a major responsibility on parents to talk to their children and shape up
their minds positively.
They should not pressurize them academically and socially so much that
they fall into this menace. Parental control including a healthy home environment
is a must for controlling drug addiction. Parents, the guiding light must teach their
children to feel empathy and compassion for others.
Drug Abuse is one of the banes of modern society. It has hit all regions and
all sections of our society. It is found in rural and urban areas, among poor and the
rich, among the men and women, among young or old. But it is most
overwhelmingly practiced by young boys and girls especially in hostels and in
almost all educational and technical institutions. Thus drug abuse is there in almost
all the countries of the world. Day by day alcohol is becoming increasingly
available and is used widely. Addiction has become really a curse upon human
beings. It affects not only the drug addicts but also others directly or indirectly. For
common people, it is a weakness of character. A moral theologian may see it as a
matter of vice while as sociologists see it as a social problem. It is considered sin
by religious people and as a crime by law enforcement groups. The psychiatrist can
describe it as a personality disorder problem. The alcoholics anonymous groups
and the treatment centres call them patients and alcoholism is handled as a disease.
LEGAL DRUGS
Legal drugs are those drugs which are manufactured, produced, bought and
sold within the confines of the law.
Drugs like aspirin cough syrups, laxatives, antacids, vitamins and certain
contraceptives etc. are legal drugs, which can be obtained without a prescription
from the physician. These non-prescription drugs are used for hunger control,
sedation, stimulation, dandruff, constipation, relief etc. and are produced and
marketed for billions of dollars throughout the world.
Drugs and medications dispensed by pharmacists on prescriptions given by
doctors and dentist are called prescription drugs. They include analgesics,
contraceptives, antibiotics, medicated shampoos, stimulants, sedatives,
antidepressants, anaesthetics etc.
At the same time many psychoactive prescription drugs like amphetamines,
barbiturates, narcotics etc. are abused to alter the state of consciousness and
sensitivity to pain etc. Huge quantities of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea are used,
abused and misused as social drugs. They are legally available psychoactive drugs.
Thus these are divided into 3 categories:
(a) Non-prescription drugs
(b) Prescription drugs
(c) Social drugs – nicotine, caffeine and alcohol
ILLEGAL DRUGS
Illegal drugs are those, which are not used legally but are abused. Largely it
can be further divided into two according to its potentiality to produce high and
low dependence:
The amphetamines, cocaine, the depressants and the narcotics etc. produce
high dependency. Marijuana and other hallucinogens produces low dependency.
IllegaI drugs are varying in nature according to their ability to produce
clinical dependency. Heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturate etc. are strongly
dependence producing drugs. At the same time Marijuana, LSD, Psilocylin etc.
are weekly dependence producing drugs.
Classification of Addictive Drugs
Addictive Drugs are divided according to its nature, origin, mechanism of
action and effects. They are studied under various categories, viz.
Narcotic Analgesics
In Greek, the prefix ‘narco’ means to deaden or to be numb. Analgesic
means 'pain killing' or 'pain relieving'. These drugs slow down a person and create
feelings of euphoria.
Dentists and doctors mostly prescribe these as painkillers. Codeine.
Morphine, Percodan etc. are important among them. Some illegal drugs like
Heroin and Brown sugar are narcotics.
Medically the term 'narcotic' signifies opium and opium derivatives or
synthetic products that have opium-like effects. They arc rather painkillers with
high addictive nature.
Stimulants
Chemicals and drugs which temporarily stimulate mind and body and excite
or speed up the central nervous system, are called stimulants. Substances that
people take to attain extraordinary powers of' mind and body are called "pep" pills.
These are called "uppers" because they lift the person up from despair and
despondency and give them mental balance, exhilaration and a super sensual
feeling of happiness. Stimulants are available in the form of pills and are
prescribed by doctors.
But young men misuse them for getting a kind of intoxication and ecstasy
feeling. Commonly used stimulants are Nicotine and Caffeine. The active and
powerful stimulants are Cocaine and Amphetamines.
These cause stimulation of the brain, giving rise to alertness and increased
bursts of activity. A rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, raised blood pressure, nausea
or vomiting and behavioral changes such as agitation, and impaired judgment may
also result. In severe cases, there may be delusional psychosis which can occur
with the use of cocaine and amphetamines.
The younger generation is badly attracted to these drugs. 'They reach the
brain through blood and upset the nervous system.
Depressants
Depressants at times called "downers", depress or slow down the functions
of mind and especially the central nervous system, the heart beat and respiration.
People resort to chemicals to have relaxation, calmness and proper sleep. These
cause depressions of the brain's faculties and examples include sleeping pills
(barbiturates) and heroin.
Cannabis
Cannabis is the term, which refers to marijuana and other drugs, produced from
Indian limp-plant, cannabis sativa. It has been cultivated for centuries in different
parts of the world for its tough fibre of the stem, for the oil in its seed, and for its
psychoactive properties. More than 60 cannabinoids can he prepared from cannabis
plant.
Hallucinogens
These cause hallucinations and an "out of this world" feeling of
dissociation from oneself. Hallucinogens may cause distorted sensory
perception, delusion, paranoia and even depression. Examples include
ecstasy, mescaline and LSD.
Examples of drug abused are:
1. Alcohol.
2. Tobacco.
3. Cocaine from coca.
4. Opium and opioids from poppy plants.
5. Hashish or marijuana from cannabis.
6. Synthetic drugs such as heroin, ecstasy and LSD.
7. Steroids.
8. Narcotics.
9. Inhalants.