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Drug Addiction

By: Seema Mansoor Ali Pirani

The term drug refers to any chemical substance, aside from food, that upon entering the body alters the functioning of the body. Increase prevalence of drug abuse poses a threat to the health and welfare of many populations through out the world. Cocaine, heroin and alcohol play a major role in crime and corruption. Drugs may be legal or illegal. Prescription and non prescription medications are the examples of legal drugs, as are narcotics when purchased and used within the bounds of the law. Non prescription drugs are those which are accessible in the markets and there is no requirement of doctor’s prescription. Examples are aspirin, cough syrups, laxatives, antacids and vitamin supplements. For the prescription drugs physician’s order is essential. These drugs are antibiotic, narcotic, sedatives, stimulants, antidepressants and anesthetic. Abuse of prescription and non prescription drugs theater a heavy burden on health resources because of the associated medical problems and economic loss. It is predictable that 50% of all hospitalized patients come with the diagnosis of liver problems are drug addicted. Along with that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the second leading cause of death in drug addicted people. According to Pinger (1995) he said “One of every five deaths occurs per year because of drug abuse” (p.4). So as a health care professional we have to support them and give treatment to them. There are rehabilitation centers in Pakistan among them Ibtida and AAS play an imperative role to handle these types of problems.
The drug came in the world from ancient time and till then its availability is gradually increasing. The development in selling of drug is closely associated with the evolution of western medical practice. Four groups of practitioners were involved to give health care these are physicians, surgeons, barbers and apothecaries. Afterward these roles was changing as physicians also perform surgery and dispending medication. By the end of 1880s the drug store (apothecary shop) had become a common site in the community. After that modern apothecary shop was being established at the turn of the century, pharmacists began producing and marketing non prescription drugs, although specific regulations dealing with alcohol and opium existed before 1900s. The Pure Food and Drugs Act of 1906 were passed by congress in response to adulterated food, beverages, and medicines that were prevalent at that time. But it was amended in 1912 in an attempt to further control false therapeutic claims. The federal government’s control over the formulation of medications was expanded again in 1914 with the Harrison Act, passed in response to international concern over the trading of opium, morphine and cocaine and according to this law they impose tax on the manufacturer of these drugs. In 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act was passed, then its amendment done on 1951. In 1972 the FDA embarked on a long range regulatory program to apply these drug efficacy amendments to all non prescription medications.

Many factors influence drug taking behavior which includes individual factors, environmental factors and influence of cultural, economic and society. Drugs are divided according to there classifications like stimulants, depressants, narcotics, hallucinogens and cannabis. Because the lives of individuals are disrupted by the consequences of drug abuse, and because of their dysfunction subsequently affects the well-being of the community, prevention and treatment is essential to decrease this problem.

The misuse and abuse of legal and illegal drugs is the major social problem. These are on the rise not only in Pakistan but the world over especially among teenagers. The rate of the crime and violence is increasing in getting money for the purchase of drugs. Moreover the drug put a negative impact on the society and the person become isolated from their family and friends. Along with that these person are more prong to get diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Some time these patients develop psychological problem which lead them to commit suicide. So, to over come these problems, society has a proper knowledge regarding drug addiction, its prevalence in community and its treatment.
I choose this topic because now a day a large number of populations suffers due to drug addiction. According to Dr Abdul Touheed (2007) he said “In past, addiction was restricted to a particular segment but now addiction is a prevalent in the middle class as it is in the upper class” (p.5). This addiction not only spoil elderly citizens but also our school going children suffers from it and this is very crucial to conquer this problem and secure our society. This week my paper will update the society about the factors of dug addiction.
According to the World Drug Report 2000 of the United Nations Drug Control Programme, Pakistan is one of the countries hardest hit by narcotics abuse in the world. At present according to recent survey we have about 3.5 million drug addicts of different kinds growing on an annual rate of 7 percent. An examination of social and demographic factors revealed that 71.5 % of the drug abusers were less than 35 years of age with the highest proportion in the 20-30 years age group. Of all the drugs abusers almost 50% were illiterate and surprisingly similar percentages were employed. Among occupational categories, the frequency of drug abuse was highest 50.8% for those in skilled and unskilled labors categories, followed by sales 16.8%, agriculture 7.4% and students also 7.4% (Niaz, 2005 p.272).

There are numerous factors which influences person to take drug either it is legal or illegal. According to the article from Mayoclinic.com on Drug Addiction (2006) he said “Various factors such as your personality, genetic makeup and peer pressure, affect your likely hood of becoming addicted to a drug” (p.1). Individual factors include genetic factors, personality factors and interpersonal skills. Research shows that the factors that influence persons to involve in drug addiction are either genetic or environmental. The important of genetic risk factors when compare with environmental factors has not been determined but studies shows that “Genetically predisposed persons show less intense responses to low dose of alcohol than subjects with no genetic predisposition” (Pinger, 1995 p.24). So, if the drug addicted person present in the families there are high risk to develop that addiction in other family members. In addition, personality factors also contribute to drug use. These factors are particular to each individual’s interest. One cannot predict the degree of drug dependence on basis of personality factors but, if the people have a psychological problem such as depression, attention deficit and stress, it can lead a person to become addicted. Same with children, if they have lack of self control and difficult temperament they become addicted. It is said that “Using drugs can become a way of coping with these painful psychological feelings” (Drug addiction, Mayoclinic.com p.2). Drug users are usually deficient in interpersonal skills. As Pinger (1995) said that “They score poorly in tests that measure well being, responsibility, social skills, tolerance and achievement. Additionally, there level of competence in task performance; degrees of obedience and sense of diligence are lower than those of peers who do not use drugs on a regular basis” (p.26). Beside that, the process of personal growth throughout the adulthood is supported by developmental tasks which include independent living, social skill, development responsibility, and intimacy and if there is any deficient in these task person can become addicted.

Next to the individual factors, the environmental factors are important in drug taking behavior. These factors are influenced by immediate environment which include home, family, school, peer, and community. The children from addicted parents are vulnerable to become drug abuser as they learn from there parents and family. According to Pinger (1995) he said “Home and family life can affect one’s perceptions about drug use abuse, it is only one of many influence” (p.28). Along with that, children also spend more of there time in school and college and now a day drug are easily available there. According to Dr Abdul Touheed (2007) “A lot of students in schools, colleges and universities are users of drugs” (p.5). By taking these drugs they have lack of academic skills and some time there interest in education decrease. In addition, drug addiction also exists between peers. If your friends are engage in this behavior it is likely to said that you are also vulnerable to drug addiction because of there pressure (peer pressure). It is said that “Particularly for young people, peer pressure is a strong factoring starting to use and abuse drug. A lack of attachment with your parents may increase the risk of addiction.” (Drug addiction, Mayoclinic.com p.4). On the other hand, the community is an important influencing factor in an individual’s decision about drugs. Now a day’s alcohol addiction is very common in business meeting and the person who will not take this feel shy, so they have to take this in front of others. This is not only in meeting but, the higher class group they use alcohol in there parties; function and feel proud to take this.

Subsequently, culture, economics and society also lead a person to be vulnerable of drug addiction. The drugs which are easily available in the markets are called gate way drugs and in Pakistan alcohol and heroin are easily available; therefore our young generations use them more. Beside that the parents, teachers and elders are the role model for children and if they are addicted, the children think that this behavior is not bad and they become addicted too. In addition, advertisement also influence individual to be addicted. Today the top stars come in the advertisement of alcohol, beer, cigarette smoking and beetle nut and they advise to take this. Because of that the young generations are more vulnerable to addiction. Nowadays in our country both urban and rural area are facing declining employment. Many families income are very low. So they send there children on streets for earning money. Because of poverty children become a part of that community who sale drugs and unfortunately by selling drugs they also become addicted.

A survey of Psychosocial Correlates of Drug Abuse in young adults aged 16-21, in Karachi done by Niaz in 2005 and he found the result that 32% of the students reported that they try drugs when forced by their friends and 68% started drugs or smoking on their own. Nearly 66% of students identified the motivation for their drug abuse was "helps in improving concentration" and "helps to forget about problems". Beside that, 54% reported that they use drugs "to socialize with friends". Along with that, 73% abuse drugs as "they become habitual of using drugs". Most of the students who abuse drugs reported more than one motivational factor for their drugs use. Some other motivational factors for drug abuse were identified through open-ended question. 23% of students abuse drugs "just for fun", 22% took drugs as "they felt like trying drugs once", 14% abuse drugs for "relaxation" and 18% started taking drugs for interpersonal problems. In addition, the present research contributes to this evidence by providing some data on prevalence and psychosocial correlates of drug abuse among adolescents in a Metropolitan City Karachi, Pakistan. The findings of present study revealed that the prevalence rate of drug abuse was 34% among adolescents. 10% of students who reported drug abuse were studying at school level and 25% at college level. The most common drugs used by adolescents in this survey were Hashish, Alcohol, Ecstasy and Marijuana (p.5).

To conclude, we can say that because of these above factors not only the group of adolescence are vulnerable to get addicted but the school going children are also affected. Our next paper will inform the society about different classification of drug available in our country and their affect in our body.