Throughout the centuries, the timeline of events in the history of drugs can be traced back as early as in the year 5000 B.C when the Sumerian people in the Middle East first used opium as recreational drug. The development of drugs as therapeutic agents in treating and preventing diseases has played a vital role in the field of medicine for many years. Hence, it is of not surprising why the usage of drug is not exclusive to only a particular part of the world.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a drug is a term of varied usage. In medicine, it refers to any substance with the potential to prevent or cure disease or enhance physical or mental welfare. Meanwhile, in pharmacology, it means any chemical agent that alters the biochemical or physiological processes of tissues or organisms (UNODC, 2003).
Despite the many positive outcomes, it is now posing a threat among youths worldwide. On the 16th of March, The Star Online published a news regarding six people, ranging from age 21 to 27 years old, who died of drug overdose while attending the Future Music Festival Asia 2014. According to a drug report published on December of 2013, by the Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan Malaysia, in the course of 5 years (2009-2013), young people has the highest risk of being addicted to drugs. The highest number was detected on 2010 with a total of 16,737 people ranging from 19 to 39 years old. The good news? The number has decreased to 5,342 people in 2013. As many as 214 teenagers were detected to have drug addiction on 2013 with a percentage decrease of 100.52%.
The emergence of drug abuse among youths raises several important questions: Why are they taking drugs in the first place? How do they gain access to these drugs? What should we do to eradicate this problem?
There are several factors leading to the involvement of youths in drugs. First, the pressure of fitting into the social circle. It is not unusual for teenagers or young adults to be closer to their peers rather than their own family. This happens due to a lot of reasons. For example, busy parents who don’t spend enough time with their children causing a lack of communication between them. Therefore, these young people desire the attention and the acceptance that they can gain from their peers. Second, the curious instinct that provokes them to try out something new can also lead to the involvement with drugs. Another factor is stress from their daily life such as the pressures of doing well at school or work, family problems or financial problems. The fact that these drugs are easily accessible even on the school grounds worsen the situation.
What can we do to help solve this problem? Even though it might look like a drop in the ocean, if everyone is making the same effort, it is not impossible. The first step: Stop putting the blame on anyone. Instead, reflect and see what everyone is doing – the government, the family and the society. The government organized many prevention programmes that aim to increase the awareness regarding the danger of substance abuse. The programmes are targeted on families, educational institutions and workplaces. Exhibitions are also held to spread public awareness regarding drug abuse. Other than that, the efforts to use various means of technologies such as the Internet, radio, television and pamphlets are being implemented now. In the aspect of treating drug abuse, the government has Klinik Cure & Care 1Malaysia around the country. There are also rehabilitation centres built in order to treat the patients.
The second step: Make an effort to help. If you’re a mother or a father, understand that communication and love are the basic elements in a family. Be involved in your children’s lives. Know their friends, who they hang around with. Guide them and give advices if you should. As the saying goes, education starts at home. If you’re a friend, don’t let someone you know stray off the straight path. Inform his/her parent if you must. The third step: Stop prejudicing. The people who suffer from drug addiction will not be able to fully recover if society keeps on having prejudices against them. Think of the emotional damage that we would have been doing to them.
The use of drugs, even for medication purpose, can elicit harmful response in the body. For example, Panadol is a common over-the-counter medication containing the active substance acetaminophen. It is used as an analgesic (relieve pain) and antipyretic (relieve fever). Consuming acetaminophen in a large amounts (over the recommended dose) may cause hepatotoxic effects. Imagine taking commonly abused drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and methamphetamine which have greater folds of toxicity in the body. The greatest wealth a person can ever have is probably a good health. Appreciate your body, take care of your health and avoid doing any harm to it.
Countries around the world are still struggling to fight drug addiction especially amongst the younger generations. Malaysia too is not an exception. The power to fight drug addiction lies in the hands of everyone. Even if we are too busy with studies, the knowledge that we learn in medicine can enable us to help anyone that we know who might be suffering from this addiction. We can also help to increase the awareness by spreading necessary information amongst our non-medical friends and family. A domino effect that starts from the first step and will keep going on.
Farahliza Grace is a 3rd year medical student studying in the Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Czech Republic. Learn more about her and other students at the Young Columnists tab under The Team.
References:
- UNODC. (2003). Terminology and Information on Drugs [Brochure] Austria: United Nations
- The Star Online. (2014). Six die of overdose at music fest. Retrieved March 23, 2014 from Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan Malaysia website, http://sistemluar.adk.gov.my/edrugsnews/upload/Six%20die%20of%20overdose%20at%20music%20fest.pdf
- Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan Malaysia. (2013). Laporan Dadah Bulan Disember 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2014, from Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan Malaysia website, http://www.adk.gov.my/html/laporandadah/2013/Laporan%20Dadah%20Bulan%20Disember%202013.pdf
- International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD). (n.d). Retrieved March 23, 2013 from INPUD website http://inpud.wordpress.com/timeline-of-events-in-the-history-of-drugs/