According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA Para 1), drug abuse is the intentional use of drugs without a prescription so as to experience the feeling that can arise from using the substance. The most commonly abused drugs are pain relievers (5.1 million people), sedatives (0.4 million), tranquilizers (2.2 million), and stimulants (1.1 million). Mostly abused drugs are marijuana, opioid analgesic, cocaine and heroin (NIDA Para 5). Abuse of these drugs exposes the users to different health risks.
According to Help Guide (Para 1), there are quite a number of problems that are associated with the drugs. These include a feeling of shame or helplessness, problems at work, school, home, and in relationships. This happens as an individual gets addicted to the substances. For instance, addiction to drugs such as inhalants, Xanax, speed, heroin, or Vicodin makes an individual have a great craving for the drugs. As such, the individual looses interest in anything else; family, career, education, friends and all. This is what causes the problems.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC Para 1), it is possible to prevent the problem of drug abuse. All that is needed is to put in place the right mechanisms and warn the youths about the dangers of drug abuse. This can help in preventing the high rates of prevalence. For instance, UNODC has started two main projects that can help in educating the youths about the drugs. These are the Global Initiative on Primary Prevention of Substance Abuse and the Global Youth Network against Drug Abuse. With the help of other stakeholders such as the practitioners, academics and other partners, the programs have managed to work with schools, families and employers in a bid to reach out and help the affected.
In a nutshell, drug abuse can be said to be the use of substance without a prescription. This problem is quite prevalent and has caused major social problems. However, the problem can be prevented by identifying the causes and preventing them. Various programs have been put in place towards prevention of drug abuse.
Works Cited
Help Guide. “Drug Abuse and Addiction.” Helpguide.org, 2012. Web, 31st Oct. 2012 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm
NIDA. “Topics in Brief: Prescription Drug Abuse.” National Institute of Health, 2011. Web, 31st Oct. 2012, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/prescription-drug-abuse
UNODC. “Preventing Drug Use among Youth Works.” UNODC, 2012. Web, 31st Oct. 2012, http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/prevention/index.html
