Explainer: Drug abuse and why it is crucial to be in the know

Drug abuse, a term used for obsessive and excessive use of drugs, is a common problem the world over, with South Sudan not an exception. Though hard to resist, the use of drugs can be controlled with proper medication and guidance.

Writer: Diana Juan Leju

According to a report by UNODC, around 284 million people aged 15-64 used drugs worldwide in 2020, a 26 per cent increase over the previous decade. Young people use more drugs, with use levels today in many countries higher than in the previous generation. In Africa and Latin America, people under 35 represent the majority of people being treated for drug use disorders. 

Globally, the report estimates that 11.2 million people worldwide are injecting drugs. Around half of this number were living with Hepatitis C, 1.4 million were living with HIV, and 1.2 million were living with both.

Drug Abuse, also known as substance abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are harmful to the individual or others, according to Wikipedia. Drug abuse is thus a chronic disease characterised by the inability of the abusers to resist their harmful consequences.

Drug Abuse is seen in various age groups and in individuals from nearly all walks of life and socioeconomic strata. However, men are more likely to abuse drugs than women. Single people are more likely to abuse drugs than married individuals, urban dwellers are more likely to abuse drugs than rural dwellers, and prisoners, street children, and younger individuals are more likely to abuse drugs.

A picture of some samples of drugs

Drug abuse, a term used for obsessive and excessive use of drugs, is a common problem the world over, with South Sudan not being an exception. Though hard to resist, the use of drugs can be controlled with proper medication and guidance. 

Repeated use of drugs results in the development of addiction, which has harmful consequences. For instance, regular use of drugs is self-damaging in that it leads to addiction and causes behavioural changes. Drug abuse, on the other hand, particularly impacts the brain and can lead to other health issues, such as Kidney failure and heart problems. Drug abuse also impacts a person’s mental and physical health, causing significant damage to the brain.  It hampers a person’s power to practise self-control and interferes with their ability to resist the urge to take drugs. 

People usually turn to Drug abuse to curb the stress caused by the following: family issues, pressure at work, growing competition in schools, relationship problems, a feeling of emptiness, and financial issues, among others. It doesn’t matter what the reasons are; it’s essential to understand that drug abuse only aggravates the problems rather than solving them.

Initially, drugs are taken out of choice. However, it becomes harder to resist them sooner than you realise. It’s challenging to recover from this problem, even those who risk developing it again. 

Categorically, drug abuse falls into three groups, which include

Depressants that cause depression of the brain’s faculties include sleep pills (barbiturates) and heroin. 

Stimulants: These cause brain stimulation, giving rise to alertness and increased bursts of activity. A rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, raised blood pressure, nausea, and behavioural changes such as agitation and impaired judgement may also result. In severe cases, there may be delusional psychosis, which can occur with cocaine and amphetamines.

Hallucinogens: These cause hallucinations and an out-of-this-world feeling of dissociation from oneself. Hallucinogens such as ecstasy, mescaline, and LSD may cause distorted sensory perception, delusion, paranoia, and even depression. 

In addition to the above, commonly abused drugs include alcohol, tobacco, cocaine from coca, opium and opioids from poppy plants, hashish or marijuana from cannabis, and synthetic drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. 

Administration: Drugs of abuse can be administered orally in the form of a pill, intravenously in the form of an injection, by inhaling the substance in the form of smoke, or by snorting the substance so that it’s absorbed into the blood vessels of the nose.

Drug abuse can stem from several reasons. Peer pressure plays a significant role; many give in to fit in and take drugs. The euphoric effects of drugs create a “feel good” feeling, making individuals overlook the harm they may cause. Mental health illnesses can heighten vulnerability to addiction, as individuals may mistakenly rely on substances to cope. Biological factors also come into play, as genetic predispositions or mental disorders can drive drug use. The age at which an individual starts taking drugs also matters, with teenagers being more susceptible to addiction. Lastly, environmental factors such as family problems, influence from lousy company, work-related stress, and lack of guidance and support from parents or teachers can also lead to drug abuse.

UNDOC offers various medication options to individuals at different stages of drug abuse. Treatment typically spans an extended period to minimise the risk of relapse. To overcome this problem, seeking expert guidance and visiting a medical professional to receive appropriate medication is recommended. Most individuals suffering from drug abuse are urged to join a rehabilitation centre to control the problem. Treatment involves training the patient’s brain to adjust to life without drugs to control drug cravings. In cases of drug cessation, individuals may experience stress, anxiety, and mood swings and can be prescribed medication to overcome these symptoms. Medications are also being developed to prevent relapse triggered by various factors. A healthy diet and regular exercise are encouraged to replenish the damage caused by drug abuse and improve physical and mental well-being while managing stress.

In South Sudan today, a new drug dubbed “ice” has sprung up. Research shows that “ice” is a street name for the drug methamphetamine, or meth in its rock or crystal form. Methamphetamines are stimulants that let people stay awake and do continuous activity with less need for sleep.

Photo showing   Ice or Methamphetamines 

They’re swallowed, inhaled, smoked, or injected into a vein. Ice consumers feel high and full of energy, and they, in turn, believe that their bodies will keep working without tiring. Contrary to this belief, ice damages the body and brain, especially with repeated use.

In South Sudan today, an honourable business at the front of this drug sale prevents concerned persons from discovering its distribution source. 

Once consumed, one is bound to remain high for an extended period, ranging from twelve to twenty-four hours. This describes the severity of this drug’s impact on the consumer. 

With a starting price of (SSP 2000 -2500), one can part ways with a few grammes of Ice, which is barely enough for the addict. This, in turn, causes financial issues for the employed consumers. On the other hand, it coerces unemployed teenagers and youth to resort to theft to be able to afford the drug.

The short-term side effects of the drug include failure to sleep, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, an irregular heart rate, increased blood pressure, and even unconsciousness. In contrast, long-term use causes brain damage, causing memory problems and death.

Conclusion:

Those who have fallen prey to this problem can seek expert guidance to overcome it. Proper medication, support from loved ones, and solid willpower can take one out of the “Dark World of Drug Abuse.” 

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