A daylong event to observe International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, was organised by J&K State Aids Control Society (JKSACS), Department of Health and Medical Education on Tuesday.
Director General Health Services Kashmir, Dr.Saleem-ur-Rehman stressed for involving maximum youth to uproot drug menace in the state.
He said that creating a competitive atmosphere among children can play a pivotal role to avert them from drug menace.
He said that children should not be confined to their studies only instead they should be involved in community works so that they do not fall prey to drugs.
“Youngsters can play a lead role if their curative ideas would be channelized in a proper way,” he noted.
He further maintained efforts are on to keep psychiatrists available at every level to address, to guide the screened persons for their rehabilitation and early recovery.
Speaking on the occasion, Project Director JKSACS, Mushtaq Ahmad Rather said that the project aims at disseminating awareness on dangers of drugs, particularly among youngsters.
He also highlighted the various initiatives including conducting outreach camps, continuous education and training for teachers, children and religious heads to sensitize and train them, adapted by their organization.
The theme for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (2018) is “Listen First”.
On the occasion a 32 page booklet titled ‘Drug Abuse Prevention Guide’ was released by Centre for Youth Development.
Speaking as the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Saleem ur Rehman said that the observation was important for everyone as drug abuse and trafficking affect each and every individual in the society.
The speakers called for a strong punishment to deter drug abuses and smuggling and asked all to report to the authorities concerned if they came across areas in the district where poppy plantations are done and stressed upon general public to come forward to curb the menace.
EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION
Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Different drugs can have different effects. Some effects of drugs include health consequences that are long-lasting and even permanent. They can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance.
There are a few ways a person can take drugs, including injection, inhalation and ingestion. The effects of the drug on the body can depend on the way in which the abused drug is delivered. For example, the injection of drugs directly into the bloodstream have an immediate impact, while ingestion has a delayed effect. But all drugs of abuse affect the brain. They cause large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our emotions, motivation and feelings of pleasure, to flood the brain, causing a “high.” Eventually, drugs can change how the brain works and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices, leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn into a substance dependency, or drug and alcohol addiction.
Today, more than 7 million people suffer from an illicit drug disorder, and one in four deaths results from illicit drug use. In fact, more deaths, illnesses and disabilities stem from effects of drug abuse than from any other preventable health condition. People suffering from drug and alcohol addiction also have a higher risk of unintentional injuries, accidents and domestic violence incidents.
WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE?
Clinically known as substance use disorder, drug abuse or addiction is caused by the habitual taking of addictive substances. Drugs of use include alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens and opioids. The National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA) states, “Addiction is defined as a chronic relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.”
INJURIES
More deaths, illnesses and disabilities stem from substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition. Today, one in four deaths is attributable to illicit drug use. People who live with substance dependence have a higher risk of all bad outcomes including unintentional injuries, accidents, risk of domestic violence, medical problems, and death.
HEALTH PROBLEMS
The impact of drug abuse and dependence can be far-reaching, affecting almost every organ in the human body. Drug use can:
- Weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Cause cardiovascular conditions ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attacks. Injected drugs can also lead to collapsed veins and infections of the blood vessels and heart valves.
- Cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
- Cause the liver to have to work harder, possibly causing significant damage or liver failure.
- Cause seizures, stroke and widespread brain damage that can impact all aspects of daily life by causing problems with memory, attention and decision-making, including sustained mental confusion and permanent brain damage.
- Produce global body changes such as breast development in men, dramatic fluctuations in appetite and increases in body temperature, which may impact a variety of health conditions.
EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs have been shown to alter brain chemistry, which interferes with an individual’s ability to make decisions and can lead to compulsive craving, seeking and use. This then becomes a substance dependency.
- All drugs of abuse – nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others – effect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system.
- Drugs hijack this “reward” system, causing unusually large amounts of dopamine to flood the system.
- This flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or euphoria associated with drug abuse.
WHY INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IS CELEBRATED?
Every year on 26th June, International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated worldwide. The main agenda of International Day against Drug and its illegal production is to raise a sense of responsibility into the masses, to encourage them to raise awareness about substance abuse and its illicit trafficking and brings sense of understanding about this menace to the people who suffer due to this problem. The aim to observe this day is to increase support for prevention of the production of drugs and its use and is thus a decisive investment for the well-being of students and youth, their relatives and their communities. It emphasizes and puts on spotlight the significant effect of the clash between the healthy and dismantled environment. This day is dedicated towards the betterment of the lives of the people who are suffering from drug abuse and other addictions. The day acts as a reminder to the masses that these people must become participants in various rehabilitation programmes.
