Drug abuse is a major public health problem that cripples the society on multiple levels. Directly or indirectly, every nation is affected by drug abuse and addiction. Psychoactive substances have been consumed for several decades in the past, but the magnitude of this deep-rooted problem has increased. Illicit drug use is now prevalent among youth, with a wider range of substances being used.
According to the 2015 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), close to 264 million people aged 15 to 64 years worldwide had used an illicit substance at least once in the previous year. Of these, 27 million people were problem drug users, including 13 million people who injected drugs (PWID).
One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Drug use also lays a heavy financial burden on society and impedes the overall productivity of a community.
Here are a few key measures that can help in tackling drug addiction at individual and societal levels:
1. Helping People Deal with Pressure
To control drug addiction, one of the primary concerns that needs attention is the overall pressure that people face. Facing life challenges can be tough, and it becomes easier to become dependent on pills or drugs to ease the stress and anxiety, especially if you are impressionable and get addicted easily. In this case, you must seek professional assistance to beat stress and subsequently get out of such precarious habits. Medical and psychological treatments for drug addiction must be supplemented with activities like yoga, meditation, exercise or therapy that can help relieve pressure.
Drug dependence or addiction is not found just in adults, children and adolescents are also affected by it. Succumbing to peer pressure can cause them to use illicit substances. Kids who abuse drugs or alcohol are affected by vulnerabilities that are beyond repair. At least one out of ten of the abusers will suffer immediate or long-term consequences to their physical or mental health. According to the same study by UNODC, the key reasons that lead to drug use among children include:
- Poor opportunities for education
- Poor parenting
- Easy access to illicit substance
- Poverty
- Violent environment
- Difficult temperament or mental health disorders
Schools and colleges can initiate supportive parenting skills programs for families and teach social skills to elementary school students. This can prevent non-medical use of prescription drugs before the age of 21 years.
2. Introducing Drug Testing in Academia and Industries
When compared to the lifestyle of the yesterday, modern life is filled with stress. This results in disturbed work-life balance and a subsequent impact on your mental health. In some cases, the urge to relieve stress increases a person’s desire to turn to drugs that can develop into an addiction.
Addiction to substance use can begin early. Establishing effective drug testing programs and rehabilitation initiatives can help curb the frequency of addiction cases among students. Academic institutions must be extremely judicious when asking students to take drug tests. They must ensure that the test results remain confidential and not jeopardize a student’s academic growth and career prospects. Additionally, they should rely on authentic drug testing kits by industry experts like TestCountry that abide by the guidelines laid by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Introducing drug testing in schools and universities can help identify the number of adolescents and young adults in the following ways:
- Preventing students from experimenting with illicit substances.
- Identifying those with a habit of experimenting with alcohol or drugs.
- Engaging with those who are struggling with the addiction.
- Providing the affected with an additional incentive to get out of addiction.
Because people are constantly connected to their work through their mobile device, they find it hard to keep their professional life limited to office hours. They often use illicit substances at work, which can be hazardous to them and other employees. Drug testing at workplace aids employers to identify employees who aren’t reaching their full potential due to illicit drug use and provides medical and rehabilitative assistance, in turn, improving the company’s overall performance. Some companies also conduct pre-employment drug testing, which helps them select candidates who fit the company’s culture.
3. Making Treatment Available on Request
Ensuring medical treatment for drug addiction is readily available can be a huge step to curbing cases of drug abuse. This will downplay the stigma of seeking help for drug addiction and can decrease the losses borne by people due to drug abuse. Along with abstinence-based treatment, rehabilitation programs must make it easier to access alternative maintenance drugs.
Substance abuse and mental illness often work hand in glove. In cases related to mental illness, it is best to seek professional help. Counselors can help diagnose your specific mental illness in a caring environment, without judgment. Knowing the mental illness can help tackle issues related to addiction and may help you lead to a better quality life without depending on illegal substances.
Conclusion
Addiction to drugs and other illicit substances can happen to anyone. Addicts who face mental illnesses may have more trouble resisting drugs. If you’re addicted to drugs and suspect that you may be suffering from a mental illness, seeking help can guide you towards a better ability to resist drugs and eventually avoid them completely.
(Photo via Pixabay)
