Drug Abuse : A Social Evil | UPSC Mains Essay Preparation PDF Download

Drug Abuse : A Social Evil

structure

(1) Opening    —    Social Awareness.

    —    Enslavement to drugs and compulsion to obtain and consume it by any means.

(2) Body    —    Different types of drugs.

    —    Explanation by psycholo-gists and sociologists.

    —    New dimension in drug abuge.

    —    Search for the causes of drug abuse.

    —    Drugs among children.

    —    Effects of drug.

    —    Laws are not so strict.

    —    Drug as a source of revenue.

(3) Closing    —    Drug abuse is a social problem and has legal ramification. War on drugs is on.

"Drug is Death : Say no to Drugs " and other such slogans visible on billboards and newspapers are proofs of the social awareness drug abuse has attracted. Drug related crimes are equally conscience stirring and have made people much over it.

We all have relied on the drugs. Our doctors have prescribed for the various diseases, so, how can its use be an abuse. The use of psychoactive substances for obtaining relief from mental tension or physical discomfort i.e. for therapeutic uses is legitimate use of drugs. Contrary to this, when used for attaining pleasure or new experiences and consequent physical or psychological harm is termed as drug abuse. Such drug abuse induces drug dependence and ultimately addiction and habituation. In drug addicts there is an enslavement to drugs and compulsion to obtain and consume it by any means. They develop a psychological and physical dependence on the effects of the drugs and an effect detrimental to the individual and to the society.

The abusable drugs are of various types; sedatives or depressants that relax the central nervous systems, induce sleep and provide a soothing effect. Stimulants activate the central nervous systems and relieve tensions, makes them aggressive and counteract fatigue. Narcotics, like depressants affect — the central nervous system and produce feelings of pleasure strength and lesson inhibitions. Hallucinogens produce distortion of perceptions and dream images.

Drug abuse has been explained by psychologists and sociologists. It is generally regarded that pleasurable sensations produced by drugs reinforce their use or it  satisfies certain psychological needs, or is a response to fear and insecurity to the conditions of modern life, often association with users is also regarded as a reason for accepting drugs. Drug abuse can also be explained in terms of weakening of social bonds between individuals and society due to maladjustment alienation and non-commitments.

A new dimension in drug abuse has been its use by sports persons to enhance their potential beyond humanly endurable limits. The incident of Ben Johnson was a jolt to the sports lovers all over the world and has caused much thinking on effort to curb the recurrence of such incidents. However, with unfailing regularity such controversies erupt, for example Katrin Krabe.

It would be apropriate here to search for the causes of drug abuse. Among sports persons it can be safely attributed to the search and urge for glory. It can be  an attempt to gain an unfair advantage over the others in the achievement orientation of modern society. The ends have become all powerful and means have been relegated as secondary.

The use of drugs among children which is most shocking and astoundign can be variously explained. Juvenile delinquents take to it in defiance and devisance to the social values. Some children accept it under peer group pressure and as an act of proving their 'masculinity. Others take to this due to weakening of emotional bonds between parents and siblings. The children who are in an impressionable age require much effectual and emotional bond to wean them away from such anti-social activities.

In rural areas the use of psychoactive substance is for religious purposes e.g. Holi, Shivratri and on ritual occasions. However, it is also used to relieve fatigue and also a source of entertainment.

In industrial urban setting the use is for more or less the same reasons.

Apart from the health and physical disadvantages drug abuse causes, it has also led to an acceleration in crime. An addict would stop at nothing to get his dose of the drug. There has been a spurt in thefts and murders by these addicts whose dependence physical and psychological upon the drugs is so great that the accepted values and norms of the society is shelved and their prime concern becomes acquiring their dosage.

There has been an increase in smuggling and peddling of those drugs as the economic advantages are numerous. It has also made the gangs engaged in such activities more vicious and violent as the economic stakes are very high.

This delineation of drug abuse brings us to the point where reference must be made to efforts to curb their evil. Given that the use of drugs have historical and cultural context makes prevention more complicated. Efforts have been made to combat drug trafficking, treat addicts and prevent drug abuse.

India being on the transit route faces a challenging and unenviable task. However, our Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has not been very effective, Seizures have increased and so have indictment for offences but that is reflective only of the increase in those activities and not any positive development of control of drug abuse. Other legal sanctions are merely suggestions of intention and not actions.

Government regards drugs as a source of revenue and therefore its cultivation cannot be stopped. The inefficiency of administrative machinery in policing and preventing abuse needs no highlighting.

The only positive developments is the establishment of de-addiction and detoxification centers which have enabled us to salvage some people from destruction. However, these centres are expensive and the addicts have a tendency to relapse unless they have a strong will power and a desire to abdicate the malaise. Voluntary associations have also been doing a commendable task.

In conclusion, we can say that drug abuse has been realised as a major evil. It is a social problem and has legal ramifications. It has been given a high profile now and mass media has been disseminating information to educate people with the intention of preventing drug abuse. The battle continues and war on drugs is on.