Chapter: Gist of Press Information Bureau Articles

Topic: Drug Abuse – A Holistic Approach

Q. What do you mean by term ‘Drug abuse’?

Drug abuse, also called substance abuse or chemical abuse, is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems or distress. Teens are increasingly engaging in prescription drug abuse, particularly narcotics (which are prescribed to relieve severe pain), and stimulant medications, which treat conditions like attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy.

Q. What are the drugs which are generally used in drug abuse?

Drugs drastically put to wrong use are brown sugar (its inferior version is heroin) cannabis (ganja, bangh and other such categories) and even alcohol which qualifies to fall under the drug category, for the reason that it is merely a chemical in liquid form that is used to give a “high”. Even thinners usable with paints and other such common material could be called drugs.

There could also be a case of drug abuse, where a medically prescribed item is consumed frequently, in increased quantity and violates the prescribed amount. Persons recognize that this produces a sensation that “puts them up” and they therefore start using these constantly, not when it is actually needed as a medicine.

Q. What should be the treatment for drug abuse?

Drug abuse, is the disease of the body, the mind and the soul. Though treatment may begin medically but that alone is not enough and the patient would need an enormous amount of psychological help.

It requires long-term treatment, a change in lifestyle and the involvement of the family becomes cardinal in these kinds of treatments. Care should be taken to see that the patient’s dignity is preserved and he should always be respected.

Q. What should be preventive action for drug abuse?

Instilling mere knowledge that drugs are bad alone may not also work. Developing of coping skills, learning to say a firm “no” to drugs even when repeatedly persuaded, a good support system, echoing the message against drug addiction repeatedly at different points of time, involving all sectors of the society are some of the preventive measures to be taken, all in a truly holistic manner, if results are to be seen.

Q. National Centre for Drug Abuse Prevention (NCDAP)/ Workplace Prevention Programme (WPP)/ ARMADA?

National Centre for Drug Abuse Prevention (NCDAP) as an apex institution has the necessary mandate for training, research and development in the drug sector and Focused Interventions for Vulnerable Targets where The Workplace Prevention Programme (WPP), a collaborative effort of the Government, ILO, NGOs and corporate sector has come up as a result. This collaboration has led to the formation of an effective group of various stakeholders, known as ARMADA, the Association of Resource Managers against Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

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