Drug addiction

Eassay Outline

1. Introduction
2. Addictive potential of drugs
3. Drug addiction in Pakistan
4. Causes
5. Effects
6. Conclusion

Drug addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated consumption of a drug. Its characteristics include an overpowering desire or need to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means and a tendency to increase the dose. Drugs known to cause addiction include both legal and illegal drugs.

The addictive potential of a drug varies from substance to substance, and from individual to individual. Heroin, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco cause more harm and addiction respectively.

During the last two decades, drug abuse is rapidly growing in Pakistan.

Almost five per cent of the adult population is using drugs in Pakistan. It is estimated that about 50 tonnes of opium is smuggled into Pakistan annually for processing. Almost 80 per cent of the opium processed in Pakistan comes from neighbouring countries especially Afghanistan.

People use drugs out of curiosity. They rely on drugs owing to loneliness, depression, irritation, stress, anxiety, aggression, loss of self-esteem and lack of confidence.

Easy access to drugs, financial pressures, poverty, unemployment, lack of recreational activities, illiteracy, problems at work and loss of a loved one may be other causes of drug addiction.

The effects of drug addiction are far reaching. The main effects are: unhappiness, crime, divorce, suicide, depression, major illness and death.

The drugs change brain chemistry, which results in a change in behaviour. A large number of diseases are directly caused by drug addiction.

Addicts have a much higher likelihood of committing crimes than others. The alcohol-related deaths on streets and highways, the abuse of the health care system by addicts, the absenteeism on the job and the serious risk of HIV infection are some other problems related to drug addiction.

Although South Asian countries have enacted strict laws for fighting drug trafficking and drug use yet corruption in these countries thwarted the attempts of controlling drug addiction. Government should take serious steps to tackle this issue with the help of international community. Health care facilities should be extended to the victims for rehabilitation.

Government should provide employment and opportunities of healthy recreation for the public so that the new generation could be saved from indulging in drug addiction.