Drug abuse are chemical or substance abuse that can cause poisoning, physical and psychological dependence on the body. Drug abuse is common in the modern society and it has affected everywhere in the world. Drug abuse affects all of us, wherever we live and whatever we do. Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2017 showed that about 250 million people used drugs. Of these, about 29.5 million people were addicted and suffering from drug abuse.
In Singapore alone, there were an 11% increase in drug abusers arrested in year 2018 compared to year 2017. The number of repeat drug abusers arrested increased by 13% in year 2018 compared to year 2017. The number of new drug abusers increased by 9% in year 2018 compared to year 2017. Almost two-thirds of new abusers arrested were under 30 years old. (Central Narcotic Bureau, Drug Situation Report 2018)
There are a few commonly drug abused in Singapore. They are Methamphetamine, Heroin, Cannabis, Ecstasy and New Psychoactive Substance (NPS). Drug abuse has both long and short term effects on the abusers himself and the whole society. Drug abuse deteriorates the human health, drug abusers will be paranoid, have impaired judgements and leads to addiction. Injection of drugs can also lead to infection and transmission of diseases like HIV / AIDS and Hepatitis. Drug abuse can also lead to death in some cases of drug overdose.
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Drug abuse can destroy social ties and relations between them and the people around them. Abusers tends to abandon their loved ones after getting themselves addiction to drug abuse.
Drug abuse is often associated with criminal activities and violence that poses a significant security threat to the society. Drug abuse is the leading cause for homicides worldwide. Drug abusers also turned to stealing to get money to cater for their drug addiction.
Drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among youths. There are many reasons that lead to this problem and the impact it has is extremely damaging. It is essential to spread awareness about the negative repercussions of drugs to discourage their use. Those gripped by this problem must consult a doctor and seek help from those close to them to come out of the hellish world of drug abuse.
References
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2017
- Central Narcotics Bureau, Drug Situation Report 2018
- National Institute on Drug Abuse – Effects of Drugs on the Brain and Body
- Mayo Clinic – Drug Addiction Symptoms and Causes
- World Health Organization – Substance Abuse
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – Potential Negative Effects of Marijuana
- National Center for Biotechnology Information – Injection drug use and infectious disease transmission
- DrugRehab.com – Types of Drugs
