This thrill kills: Aware drug addicts about its ill effects

This article was first published in a magazine of Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, New Delhi in November, 2009. by Fahad Shah

At the initial stages in their lives, many youngsters indulge in the socially unacceptable acts of drug addiction and substance abuse. No doubt it is the circumstances in their lives which plunges them into depression and compels them to take drugs. But the brutal effects of addiction on the personal life of the victims and that of their families as well as the society never fade away. Experts say that drug addiction is a habit which directly affects the brain and nervous system, rendering a person unfit for the society.

Drug abuse means the use of illicit drug or misuse of legitimate drug resulting in physical or psychological harm. The Jammu and Kashmir has seen political and social unrest for more than two decades. The impact of the conflict can be seen on the younger generation, an extensive part of which, unfortunately, has sought refuge in sedatives. Forty percent of addicts in the state smoke Cannabis commonly known as Charas while 30 % take Opioids either in the form of capsules or syrup or injections. The rest have glues, polishes, paints, etc. Alcohol too is being heavily consumed, despite the fact that it isn’t approved in the Kashmir society. The abuse slowly becomes addiction, and sooner or later the person become totally dependent on such things to sustain his life.

It is a medical fact that such drugs relieve a person of the tensions, depressions and other such problems for some time but in the long run, it acts as poison which slowly destroys a person, both socially and emotionally. Students claim they use drugs to improve their studying abilities, enhance memory power, sharpen religious insight, deepen self understanding and solving personal problems and thus become drug addicts.

Other factors that condemn the youth to a life of drug addiction are lack of moral and religious education, lack of parental care and supervision, changing role of media, weakening family ties, emergence of nuclear family systems and apathetic approach on part of state government towards the issue. The twenty years old conflict in Kashmir has contributed lot in increasing depression among youth. The oppressive nature of forces, poor living conditions, unemployment and daily violence has added to it. Not a single week goes by without a civilian dying or being killed in custody. The Kashmir division alone has more than 70,000 drug addicts, including 4000 women according to a United Nation International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) sponsored survey. As per the recent survey 65-70 % student community in Kashmir are drug addicts which include 26 % female students. In Kashmir, youth in the age group of 18-35 are mostly (70-80 %) involved in drug abuse, however males are more affected then females. Single (unmarried, divorced, widowed) and illiterate persons are more affected.

The fact is that there is barely any difference between the number of addicts in rural and urban areas. The people are accusing the availability as the root cause in addiction. Usage of precipitants to manage stress, prevailing disturbed conditions, unemployment, curiosity, and failure in examinations or family dispute are other reasons. Most addicts suffer from psychiatric disorders in such as depression, bipolar affective disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, adjustment disorders, and suicides in families etc. They tend to lose weight, interest in work, tuberculoses, muscle cramps, kidney failure, vomiting, perspiration and damage to nervous system. Sometimes drug addicts fail to get their dose of drugs due to shortage of money, it also makes them resort to evil doing, crime and even murder. Recently, I met a drug addict who told me that he got into the awful habit only because he couldn’t marry the girl he loved. “I used to feel much tensed and would mostly stay alone. Drugs give me a sense of relief and I take two strips of tablets every day. One strip costs me 37 rupees and even though i know my financial position, i am unable to help it,” he says. Drug addicts greatly affect to the society and their families; they never remain part of the society. They end up becoming social outcasts and even venture into the world of crime. Stopping them abruptly may not help but making them aware about the disastrous effects of drugs can be the first step in solving the problem.

The family too has a crucial role to play. Extending complete love and support to the individual is essential. Every drug addict has a reason for taking drugs. It may be an unsuccessful relationship or a failed career; they want to forget their past, so they seek refuge in drugs. It is our duty as citizens not to avoid drug addicts but consider them as patients or victims and help them in quitting this drug menace. To curb any menace we have to first study and understand its origin. It’s only after that we will be able to contribute in eradicating it from the society. Impossible and possible are on same bridge, it’s only the matter of time when will they cross and reach other side.

We as common people can contribute on many fronts in shaping the society and work for its betterment. Whether, its drug addiction or anything else, every stake holder of society has duty to accomplish. So my friends let us promise today with ourselves, “We will contribute in eradicating the drug addiction menace from our society.”

As Jesse Jackson, a clergyman, civil rights leader has said, “We have allowed death to change its name from Southern rope to Northern dope. Too many black youths have been victimized by pushing dope into their veins instead of hope into their brains.”