Drug addiction is a major social evil of modern times. It has surpassed all the barriers of caste, color, creed, sex and nation. The simple meaning of drugs is a chemical compound used for the treatment of diseases. But in this context a drug is that chemical substance which is used by certain person, intentionally, to experience floating sensation feeling of ease and relaxation, exhilaration as-well-as to escape from pain, grief and frustration and sale, storage and consumption of such substance for the above mentioned purposes is not lawful.
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Drug addiction implies physical dependence upon a drug, including the development of tolerance and withdrawal. An addict who develops tolerance requires more-and-more of the drug to transport him to the world of fantasies If the addict is not allowed to take the drug he suffers from painful and uncontrollable convulsions, vomiting, depression and various other maladies
It has been found, through a number of surveys that there are many reasons, why people develop such a habit. Almost 15% of the addicts are initiated on this path by their friends or company. It has also been observed that such a phenomenon occurs at school, college or university or at disco, or at a trip of excursion or at some social gatherings. It has been found that the youngsters who are over shy, beset with emotional problems, inferiority complex and lack of strength and stamina fall easy prey to this habit. In addition other factors that lead to drug addiction are—lack of parental care and supervision, lack of moral and religious education, media and pop culture, hatred for any authority, broken homes, truency and delinquency etc.
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The addicts use the following categories of substances. These are (i) Narcotics which include heroin, smack, morphine etc.; (ii) stimulants include cocaine, crack, speed, whizz; (iii) Depressants include barbies, benzo-diazepines; (iv) Hallucinogens includes LSD (lysergic acid), marejuana; and (v) Cannabinoids and cannabis and hashish.
Horien produces a sense of euphoria, but its overdose may cause convulsions, coma and even death. Cocaine produces exhilaration but may cause blood pressure, insomnia and persecution complex. Barbies creates jovial mood, but is may cause disorientation, coma and make the user violent. Benzodiazepines may cause hepatitis, abscesses and even AIDS, LSD may cause damage to body organs, raises BP.
Drug users are always at risk of variety of diseases. Addiction to drugs is not an individual problem, but is looming large as a social problem evading all probable solutions. In India, drug addiction is increasing. Official estimates show that there are between 500,000 to 700,000 heroin addicts in India. Article 47 of the Constitution enjoins that the state shall Endeavour to bring about prohibition of Consumption, except for medicinal purposes, intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health. To check this alarming increase in the number of people taking drugs, the Govt. of India has taken important steps both in legislation and enforcement to combat drugs.
The basic factor responsible for proneness to drugs is the sickening emotional and psychological surrounding that leave the victim with no other option than to seek momentary escape from the mental tension. If the young ones are ensured of proper love and care, these problems will not arise. They may not feel compelled to try floating sensations. If that happens a large number of young men would be saved from this curse.