A Society in Crisis

Drug addiction is not a one-day issue but requires consistent efforts–awareness, prevention and rehabilitation. In addition, we should contribute to this cause in a generous manner irrespective of religion and caste. As it will ruin with the same force and will persist with devastating effects, without discriminating on the basis of divisions created by the society. We are suffering from severe societal evils in which drug addiction stands at first.

It has several intense consequences and has taken youngsters away from the lap of their mothers. Everyone is familiar with the current situation, even some parents are aware that their youngsters are involved in its addiction but they feel inferior to disclose it before respective authorities. Hence, we have reached a point where a surge in its consumption is recorded and its graph is towards increase. For decreasing the consumption rate we should make regular efforts and have to support social workers, de-addiction teams to work flawlessly and generously.

The problem which is being felt is parental back to addicts as their parents did not want to disclose the condition of their addicted individual before any concerning body, which further leads to more worsen addiction. To fulfill the urge of addiction, the addicts use cocaine, cannabis, opiates, amphetamines much and are consumed at global level and among these consumers men stand out more than women.

According to the World Drug Report of 2024,“Men make up more than three quarters of people who use drugs at the global level. They use more drugs than women globally, and this is especially true for drugs like cannabis, amphetamines, opiates and cocaine.” “Prevalence of cannabis use among adolescents (15-16) in the past year is higher than that of adults globally (5.5per cent compared with 4.4 per cent, respectively), and in particular in Oceania and Europe.”

While the same report revealed the fact that adolescents are more indulged in substance abuse than adults. It means that our future generation is ruining and its impact will be devastating to several generations. The report also mentions that the treatment rate of drug addicts has decreased, dropping from 11% in 2015 to 9% in 2022, indicating a decline in medical rehabilitation.

This raises a question mark over two key authorities; first, the parents of an addict and second, the medical authorities. It clearly indicates that many parents  are unwilling to disclose their children's involvement in substance abuse. Ultimately, this delay can lead to severe addiction or even the death of an addict, as they are deprived of proper medical treatment and rehabilitation .While, de-addiction teams, district bodies should make efforts to recognize addicted individuals and should keep family-friendly relations to attain addicts to the treatment centers without any family hurdle. In this cause, parents and society must keep a vigilant eye over their young children—especially their friend circle—and ensure proper accountability of their pocket money. While the administration may enforce laws and executive orders, the true light and hope of your home will shine only when you nurture and protect it with care.

 Prevention for Drug Addiction.

1. Ensure a drug free environment: In this time, where we can’t believe in anyone. To live a healthy lifestyle there is utmost need to opt for a better and evil free atmosphere—whether drugs, smoking. It is even more important for us to keep youngsters under vigil and allow them to spend their time with those people who are verified and far away from substance abuse.
2. Parental supervision: In some recent years, parents have left their children abandoned and do not prefer to enquire. In simple words, there is a communication gap between parents and their children. They provide them pocket money and then never check the expenses. Ultimately, with the passage of time it leads to lack of sense of accountability among the children. So, parental supervision with bridged communication must be coordinated to ensure proper checks and balances. Also it will encourage children towards proper accountability and upbringing.
3. Community engagement: Community remains an important force which pushes any evil out from a society. In this tough time we should participate in campaigns against substance abuse and organize nukkad nataks and competitions on gymnastics, writing, singing, dancing to diverge from the wind of addiction. Proper community based participation is needed but with a generous contribution.
4. Religious approach: Religious preachers and responsible people of the civil society should inform people with proper religious verses, which emphasize over substance abuse. These people can uphold the flag against it at Mohallah level and this approach will surely be beneficial in this cause.

Ayaan Saroori is a freelance writer and columnist, and the author of the booklet Drug: A Risk for Teens