International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on 26 June every year to raise awareness about illicit drug abuse and trafficking. This day was first observed by the UN General Assembly in 1987. According to United Nations statistics 230 million people worldwide are using drugs. The UN World Drug report 2007, stated that drugs worth around 322 billion US$ had been traded around the world every year. The theme of this year will be “Listen first”.

'Listen First' is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities. Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them so that they will grow healthy and safe.

Drug abuse is one of the most serious health problems. Besides damaging health, it has several side effects such as economic loss, antisocial behaviour such as stealing, violence and crime besides social stigma and overall downfall of the society.

Drug racket operates internationally, but some countries are transhipment points for drug circulation. India possibly because of its strategic location is a victim of drug activities including drug trafficking and local consumption. The Government of India passed a law in 1988 to prevent Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances as a measure to curb the drug haul. But still then drug menace continues widely. It is believed that in Punjab about 75% of youth are addicted from one or the other form of drug. The use of drugs appears to be increasing in the metros along-with alcohol use amongst youth and even women population. The influence of Westernization, changing family structure and peer pressure are some of the reasons behind drug abuse.

Aspects Of Health Affected By Drug Abuse
Physical aspects	Persons who are addicted to drug suffer from ‘withdrawal symptoms’ when they are deprived from drug. Heroin or sedative hypnotic drugs can cause sleepiness and slowed breath, cocaine intoxication can cause rapid heart rate and alcohol consumption leads to tremors and seizures.
Psychological and mental problems	Wild mood swings, depression, anxiety, Loss of interest in routine activity. Mental illness and their complications such as hallucinations, confusion. Psychological tolerance to the drug's effects creating a desire to do ever-increasing amounts of the drug. Desire to engage in risky behaviour.
Social issues	Anti-social activities, stealing, crime, violence, terrorism.

In Delhi itself, we have around 500 rehabilitation centres trying to work together to nurse addicts back into healthy productive lifestyles.

How we prevent our society from Drugs?

Focus on prevention and health promotion: Cultivation of healthy life style through balanced nutrition, exercise, proper rest & recreation, cultivation of creative hobbies, positive thinking and engagement in community activities go a long way in preventing bad habits, whether it is smoking, or alcohol and drug addiction.

The practice of Yoga and meditation are highly beneficial in both preventing drug use or to some extent in rehabilitating people who are drug addicts.

Treatment options

To acknowledge the drug addiction as a problem is first step towards treatment. The next step is

to get help. In most parts of the world there are several support groups and professional services available.

Psychotherapy – In this type of thearapy there may be face to face or family sessions with a specialist.

That may help in coping with cravings, avoiding the substance, and dealing with possible relapses which are key to effective de addiction programs. If the patient’s family gets involved, there is a better probability of positive outcomes.

Self-help groups - These may help the patient to meet other people with the same problem, which often boosts motivation. Self-help groups can be a useful source of education and information too. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. For those dependent on nicotine, help may be taken from the doctors to join the group.

Help with withdrawal symptoms – The main aim is usually to get the addictive substance out of the patient’s body as quickly as possible. Sometimes the addict is given gradually reduced dosages (tapering). In some cases a substitute substance is given. Depending on the situation the doctor may recommend treatment either as an outpatient or inpatient.

Refferences:

http://deaddictioncentres.in/news/indias-youth-drugs/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/treatment-for-addiction.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_against_Drug_Abuse_and_Illicit_Trafficking

http://www.medicinenet.com/drug_abuse/article.htm