Karen’s Free Health and Fitness Tips

Use of illicit drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroine and overuse of prescription drugs has been responsible for creating serious medical complications, destroying many family lives and creating problems for schools and communities. Teenagers and young people are particularly prone to excessive drug use and once they succumbed to the lure of drugs, they involve themselves in crime and accidents leading to poor performance in schools and society. It is needless to remind that the law punishes reckless drug users heavily.

Many adult people also consume drug to overcome symptoms of aging, to relieve stress and emotional problems. Drugs, if taken, during pregnancy may cause birth defects and resulting babies may show physical, mental, social and behavioral problems in future. According to an estimate, about 40 percent of American adults have used an illegal drug at some stage in their life. But recent opinion polls have revealed that most Americans oppose drug abuse and are prepared to take a stand accordingly.

Drug addiction should be treated as an illness like any other disease. Unless the person himself develops a strong sense of self-respect and confidence, it will not be possible to treat him. In order to prevent drug abuse a combined strategy of prevention, intervention and drug treatment facilities should be followed. Some sort of community approach to the problem is always advisable. Help from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) should be sought in this regard. NIDA’s rehabilitation program and Community Action Approach can provide valuable guidance and support for controlling drug abuse. Help can also be obtained from other Federal research organizations like National Institute of Mental Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for controlling drug abuse.

By: Pauline Go

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