English Vocabulary from
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The Menace of Drug Addiction
Overview
- What is drug addiction ?
- Causes of drug addiction.
- Number of drug addicts is increasing.
- Different risks of drug addiction.
- Asia, a major producer of drug.
- Drug producing areas in India.
- National and international laws to curb drug addiction.
- Role played by other agencies.
Originally the term 'drug' was used for medicines but it has now been given a new connotation. It now not only refers to medicines but also the fatal narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, brown sugar and the list goes on. All these drugs have their evil effects on the mind and body cells of the addicts.
Drug addiction is a condition characterised by an overwhelming desire to continue taking a drug to which one has become habituated through repeated consumption. Addiction is usually accompanied by a compulsion to obtain the drug, a tendency to increase the dose, a psychological or physical dependence and detrimental consequences for the individual and society.
Like most other mental-health problems, drug addiction do not have a single cause. There are a number of biological, psychological and social factors that can increase an individual's vulnerability to developing a chemical use disorder.
Some of the psychological causes of drug addiction are sexual abuse, neglection, chaos in the home, a mental illness such as depression, inability to connect with others, poor performance at work or school etc. Other cause includes a person's environment where drug abuse is seen or where it's seen as permissible.
Children who grow up in homes with drug addicts often become drug addicts themselves. Another factor for drug addiction is genetic aspect. In fact, in studies of twins it appears half of some one's risk of becoming addicted to drugs is genetic. Other risk factors which can cause drug addiction are peer pressure, anxiety, loneliness and lack of family involvement.
According to survey conducted by the UN, around 16 crore people across the world consume illegal drugs. There has been a rise in the incidents of illicit drug trafficking. Another report by the State Crime Records Bureau, India, the member of drug related cases are currently on hike. The number is much high when compared to the total number of similar cases charged in the previous years.
According to survey conducted by the UN, around 16 crore people across the world consume illegal drugs. There has been a rise in the incidents of illicit drug trafficking. Another report by the State Crime Records Bureau, India, the member of drug related cases are currently on hike. The number is much high when compared to the total number of similar cases charged in the previous years.
The profile of a majority of drug addicts is the same. They start off during teenage years by smoking cigarettes and gradually move on to opium and smack. The first experience with drugs is not very pleasant, but the kick, it provides to the brain makes the user dependent on it.
It is believed that use of drug provides great peace and tranquility which has led many people to fall prey to this habit. Studies have revealed that consuming drugs exposes our health and body to various risk like heartattack and kidney failure, weight loss and reduction in fertility muscle cramp, diarrhoea and perspiration and damage to central nervous system.
Drug abusers in failure of getting their daily dose due to shortage of money can also resort to crime and murder. A drug addict in due course gets alienated from the mainstream of the family and society in general.
Drug trafficking is the root cause for the continuation of drug addiction. Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws.
Asia is the major production centre of drugs. There are two areas in Asia where drugs are cultivated and produced. One is called the 'Golden Triangle' which includes Thailand, Laos and Burma and the other area is called the 'Golden Crescent' which includes the area of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
The Northern region is the hub of growers, suppliers and transporters in India.
Cultivation of poppy and extraction of opium is legal in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for medicinal purposes; but a large part of it finds its way into the illegal trade. In Kerala too, the 'drug culture' has become highly rampant. Goa can pretty much be called a hotspot for drugs. The illegal trade has flourished in Goa largely due to the high amount of Russian influence in the state. It is also now known as 'Little Russia' by the locals.
Many international and national laws have been enforced to curb the menace of drug addiction and trafficking. The Government of India has enforced the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 has made drug offences non-bailable.
The Narcotics Control Bureau has on several occassions intercepted huge •8 hauls of drugs. Apart from this, the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances is one 41% of three major drug control treaties currently in force. It provides additional legal mechanisms for enforcing the 1961 single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971.
Apart from this, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is leading the international campaign to raise awareness about the major challenge that illicit drugs represent to society as a whole and especially to the young.
The problem of drug addiction can be resolved if the addictors are provided proper treatment. For the total recovery of the addict psychological treatment along with medical treatment through individual counselling, group therapy, re-education and yoga is of immense help.
The planning of treatment must focus on self-exposure and self-help. Unless an individual wishes to get rid of this habit and has a strong will power, it is really difficult for him to give it up. Awareness campaigns may also to be used to good purpose. The media, the NGOs, self-help groups and other governmental agencies can play an influential role to educate the people about the abuses of drug addiction.
Difficult Words with Meanings :
- Connotation - an associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression
- Fatal - causing death
- Overwhelming - great in number, effect or force
- Detrimental - loss or injury; damaging; harmful
- Chaos - complete confussion and disorder
- Permissible - allowed or permitted by laws or rules;
- Genetic - of or relating to, or produced by genes; genic
- Opium - anything that causes dullness or that soothes the mind or emotions
- Kick - a thrill of pleasurable excitement
- Tranquility - the state of being calm; quiet
- Alienated - to cause (someone) to feel that he or she no longer belongs in a particular group or society
- Rampant - violent in action or spirit; raging
- Hauls - to pull or draw with force or transport in a truck or a car,
shared by Nisheeta Mirchandani
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