International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

June 26 is celebrated as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking every year. It is an exercise undertaken by the world community to sensitize the people in general and the youth in particular, to the menace of drugs.

We have been experiencing an alarming increase of drug abuse among the youngsters in recent years.

What is Drug Abuse and Addiction?

Drug abuse refers to the habit of regular intake of illegal drugs characterized by mis-use of drugs. There is a thin-line of difference between Drug abuse and addiction. In case of drug abuse, the person may or may not be addicted to these harmful drugs. However, in case of drug addiction, the person is severely addicted to these drugs. Thus, drug abuse may often lead to drug addiction. Drug abuse and addiction is one of the great evils of our time.

What is trafficking?

Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws.

Symptoms

  • Negligence about responsibilities at office, school, colleges or at home like missing classes, poor academics and staying alone for most of the time.
  • Differences in relationships of an individual such as fights with your family members or your partner, losing a good old friend etc.
  • Behavioral changes
  • Losing temper easily and getting into nasty things
  • Lack of motivation, feeling lethargic.
  • Anxiety and irritation.
  • Sudden weight loss and appetite
  • Disturbance in sleep patterns

Reasons

  • Heavy competition in education and lacks flexibility with lakhs of students appearing for few thousand seats. Again there is always a parental burden which adds to the pressure of making it big academically.
  • People suffering from anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression or other mental illnesses use drugs and alcohol to ease their suffering.
  • People see family members, friends, role models or entertainers using drugs and rationalize that they can too.

Prevention