Drug abuse has become one of the most significant global issues in the last decades. Many youngsters become entangled in a web of addiction that begins as an experiment but quickly turns into addiction during their school and college years. Addiction becomes a habit when a person engages in it, and affects the body’s basic functions, particularly the brain.
Besides this, it causes dreadful disorders like HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and many more. It’s need of the time to tackle the situation by encouraging the masses about the ill-effects of drug abuse. To raise awareness among people and to eradicate drug abuse, International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on the 26th of June annually. This article highlights the theme, purpose, and distinct ways to get rid of drug addiction.
Table of Contents
What do you mean by drug abuse and Illicit trafficking?
Drug use does not spontaneously change into addiction. It is when a person is unable to stop using the drug, and takes more than a regular dose of the medication without supervision
- Drug Abuse : It is defined as the prolonged use of drugs that changes the brain in a way that causes a strong craving for the drug and drives to take more that further cause alterations in the brain and make quitting difficult. For example, Opioid medication is prescribed by doctors to get relief from the pain but long-term use leads to addiction.
- Once one becomes addicted, the intake of drug increases level of dopamine in the body which gives pleasure and increases craving for more and more.
- Addiction to drugs includes not only the narcotics such as heroin, and cocaine but also as well as liquors such as whisky, Alcohol. Moreover, it involves medications such as steroid painkillers, nicotine, and others drugs.
- Illicit trafficking : Drug trafficking is unlawful commerce that entails the manufacturing, cultivation, dissemination and includes sales of medicines that are forbidden under the laws. Most drugs are spread through the international drug mafias.
Now, here the question arises that why people go for drug abuse?
Here are a few reasons:
- In today’s world, most of the teenagers intake drugs as a fashion to urge chills and a sense of pleasure. It commences with just tasting but prolonged use quickly turns into the addiction.
- Sometimes on the pressure of kith or kins, youngsters start drug abuse.
- Physical health issues such as lack of energy.
- Depression, Anxiety are other reasons people go for drug abuse to get relaxation.
What is the objective, and 2021 theme for the Day ?
Every year drug addictions ruin lakhs of lives socially, mentally, and emotionally. The day’s foremost objective is to instill a way of responsibility in folks all around the world. Since 1987, the global organization United Nations General Assembly designated the 26th of June as International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking with an aim towards drug riddance from the societies.
- Every year the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects a particular theme to raise public awareness.
- The theme for the year 2021 is “SHARE FACTS ON DRUGS, SAVE LIVES”. The main focus of this year’s theme is that one will aware people by sharing life-saving facts, and own experiences.
The narcotics such as heroin, opium, ganja, morphine, bhang cause feeling of pleasure, and decrease hunger which increases demand for intake of more. Apart from this, hallucinogens such as cigars, tobacco, cigarettes cause problems like a heart attack. Various diseases linked with drug addiction are:
- Cancer: It is one dreadful disease which is the uncontrolled growth of cells. The use of drugs such as marijuana, nicotine causes Cancer.
- HIV: Some people use drugs intravenously and share needles with each other which may be infected with various infections and may carry infections like HIV.
- Neurological diseases: Drugs in high doses cause cognitive impairment, memory loss. Moreover, it slows down brain activities, and affects mental ability.
- Cardiovascular diseases: Intake of many intoxicants such as methamphetamines, cocaine increase heartbeat and may lead to ischemic injuries, and other circulatory problems.
- Gastrointestinal diseases: The liquors and other intoxicants such as opioids causes’ indigestion, constipation, gastrointestinal reflux disease. Apart from this, intake of more alcohol causes liver damage.
- Respiratory diseases: Cigarette smoking causes damage to the alveoli of the lungs. More usage also causes the death of the person due to hypoxia.
- Stress: When a person is unable to get a drug on the time, it leads to depression, anxiety. To get drugs, some people are involved in criminal activities such as robbery ,etc.
How one can get rid of drug addiction?
Numerous people who are attempting to overcome an addiction, but are unable to do so, low self-confidence is one of the reasons why people do not give up an addiction. Here are the few ways that can help a person overcome drug abuse:
- Meditation: According to researchers, it is found that Meditation lower cravings for alcohol, cigarettes, and other drug addiction by enhancing willpower.
►Here is the technique to embark the meditation that includes three main steps:
- Sit into the comfortable position by crossing legs in a correct posture.
- Close your eyes, and inhale oxygen via the nose, and pause your breath for few seconds meanwhile continue meditating by concentrating on the middle of both eyes, the point which is known to be the third eye.
- Then, exhale the oxygen means breathe out. Keep practicing it again.
- Exercise: It is found that regular exercise assists to release the neurotransmitters called, endorphins, which play a crucial role in the positive attitude, and elevation of addiction.
- Keep yourself busy: One can participate in different activities such as journal writing.
- Surround yourself with family, and supporters: If an addicted person is surrounded by a family that supports & encourages him/her to leave the addiction, the person will slowly become able to get rid of addiction.
Moreover, certain NGOs such as Naya Savera, Phoenix foundation, Dera Sacha Sauda, and rehabilitation centres organize awareness campaigns to aware people about ill-effects, and certain ways to get rid of drug addiction.
Conclusion
Drug abuse becomes a major concern that is affecting the youth of the nation. On this International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, let’s come together and pledge to never abuse the drug. Also, aware others to never indulge in habits like drug addiction. Furthermore, aid those who are indulging in it to come out of this menace. So, that they also live happy lives.
Writing Credits – Aakriti Bamnia
