Pubdate: Wed, 06 Aug 2014
Source: Greater Kashmir (India)
Copyright: 2014 GreaterKashmir.com GK Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.greaterkashmir.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3731
Author: Dr. Muhmmad Amin Malik

LET THERE BE NO DRUGS

We Need to Control the Scourge of Drug Addiction

Drug abuse, is the illicit consumption of any naturally occurring or 
pharmaceutical substance for reasons other than for medical use. They 
change the way in which a person feels, thinks or behaves and its 
addiction is severely hampering all aspects of life. The consequences 
of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve 
with them. Drug abuse and addiction is killing people morally, 
socially, psychologically, physically and even economically. 
Identified as a disease in 1956 by the World Health Organization and 
the American Psychiatric Association, the number of people suffering 
from this hidden disease is increasing world over.

Even as drug abuse and drug trafficking have drawn worldwide 
attention, it continues to be on steep rise in Kashmir. The paradise 
on earth is becoming a new haven for drug addicts. Recently I came 
through some reports of drug addiction in Kashmir valley and i was 
shocked to learn that Drug abuse has been taking toll on our lives 
and it has been turning out to be a new problem for the society. 
There has been considerable increase in the number of drug abusers 
and addiction in the valley. Though the drug addiction cases received 
by the drug de-addiction centers are in thousands only, but the 
survey report reveals that there are nearly 25 lakh substance abusers 
in Kashmir. The shocking revelations say that we have female drug 
addicts as well as boys of very prestigious schools from 8th standard 
to 12th standard. Cough syrups, corex, alcohol, marijuana, hashish, 
ganja, cannabis, SP tablets, benzodiazepine, Alprax, Codine 
phosphate, Brown sugar, heroin, cocaine ! and other contraband higher 
drugs, are the substances which the drug abusers use in a routine 
manner. They smoke it, sniff it, eat it, inject it and escape into 
death's dream kingdom.

There are reports that the drug addicts are eating boot polish, 
consuming iodex on bread, eating fevicol, glue sticks, fluid erasers 
etc which really sounds strange and frightening. Though it is 
difficult to estimate the actual number of drug abusers in the valley 
which may be quite high, the effected do not seek treatment, though 
help is available to them. Some days back, I had an interaction with 
some people in a village some 55 kms North of Srinagar, who knew a 
lot about drug abuse and addiction. I was surprised to know the names 
of various drugs which they mentioned and which I have heard for the 
first time. They believed that more than 60% of youth in the rural 
areas are involved in the use of drugs and in some villages nearly 
90% of them are talking different drugs. They said that youth are 
taking intravenous injections of such psychotropic drugs in dozens on 
daily basis which normally cancer patients are given one on each day. 
They were of the opinio! n that it is extremely difficult to 
eradicate the drug menace in Kashmir because of nexus between 
different agencies and the youth.

The primary cause of drug abuse and its trafficking is the population 
explosion and inferior quality of education which has made our youth 
both at the School and College level confused and barren minded. Then 
secondary causes are the unemployment problems, unfulfilled carrier 
ambitions, separation, isolation, failed love affairs, family 
frictions, hatred and jealousy, bad company and socializing, boasting 
and show off. In some cases the exam-related stress and an increasing 
dropout rate at the school and College level, has forced youth to 
take refuge in drugs to temporarily calm themselves down. Then, 
parents have failed in monitoring and supervising their wards for 
preventing them from drug abuse. In some cases, the youth start to 
get attracted towards drug just to satisfy their curiosity and wish 
to feel the effect, but the small beginning takes them to the path of 
destruction of their life, where they find impossible to return. 
There are other poor peopl! e who get hooked to drugs to forget their 
own abuse by the society. Then there are others the so called -- the 
high society -- to fill up the hollowness of their existence, they 
push themselves into drugs.

Now when these drugs are readily available even at the School gates, 
not only the big guys even the little ones might get enticed. Once 
these drugs are consumed, they increase dependency on the dope and 
the youngsters are forced to be on the high. The intravenous drug use 
may raise the risk of lethal blood-borne diseases, including HIV/AIDS 
and hepatitis, which can be transmitted through shared needles. The 
big question is that, can the supplies of these illicit drugs from 
wherever sources they come here, be stopped and the unscrupulous 
elements manufacturing and trading illicit drugs be brought to book. 
The things look murkier because we have witnessed fake drug scams, 
death of a large number of kids in the Children Hospital, hue and cry 
over the ban of polythene bags - which really dampen our spirits 
towards achieving our goal. But if we are negligent in the fight 
against the drug menace, our family may be the next victims of the malaise.

Making long speeches, sermons and platitudes in seminars in a bid to 
sensitize College students about the ill effects of drugs, the 
results may not be that good because people normally have a tendency 
of forgetfulness and generally allow things to go in one ear and out 
the other. Much more needs to be done where the youth are involved in 
some activity to get rid of this pernicious habit. Though the 
teachers can spare some time for sensitizing the students but 
ultimately they cannot control the life of students after the 
College/School hours. Moreover, the drug menace is a sensitive affair 
and it is to be handled responsibly with a sense of belongingness, 
care and respect instead of rebuking the effected. We should not 
allow the drug abusers to continue to languish in complete dejection 
and alienation that will be against the teachings of Islam which 
emphasizes to help your fellow beings when they are in need of help. 
We must secure the involvement of victim! s families and friends who 
would give them timely sympathetic help in the form of counseling, 
care and support.

Among the rehabilitation programs, one practicable suggestion which 
is in my mind for a long time is that, Different Govt agencies and 
NGOs should involve the Tablighee Jamaat for the reformation of our 
youth. The Jamaat is working at the grass roots level, reaching out 
to Muslims across all social and economic spectra, doing a 
commendable job of bringing wayward Muslims back into the fold. The 
wayward youth could be sent with tablighee missions for 40 days 
program, where they can turn over a new leaf. Probably this is the 
best method by which we can reform these bad elements and put a brake 
on their path to self-destruction. There are other programs like body 
exercises in the gym, sports, games like cricket, football, tense and 
table tense, breathing exercises, mediation, yoga where these young 
effected youth can be attracted so that they leave the drugs. Then, 
there are other areas like literature, science and painting etc where 
they can be taken. There i! s a need of setting up more 
rehabilitation centers and starting rehabilitation programs, 
de-addiction courses in the Art of Living and meeting with people who 
have come out of the problem and are now leading a happy life.

The illicit drug use not only destroys the physical and psychological 
health of individuals but also have far-reaching adverse impact on 
the whole society. Just like an infected fish can spoil the whole 
pond of clean water, a single drug addict can destroy the future of 
young citizens which constitute the most vital human resource for us. 
In the days to come, the drug menace may become the major reasons 
behind the growth of crime and violence in the society for the simple 
reason that when drug addicts have no money for buying drugs he/she 
may resort to stealing or other immoral activities. There is a need 
for concerted efforts on the part of law enforcing agencies, NGOs, 
social workers, religious organizations and members of the society to 
address the drug menace and free the youth from the fascination and 
addiction to illicit drugs, liquor and other intoxicants and help 
them explore the positive aspects of life.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom