The use of drugs and their illicit trafficking has posed a big problem for humanity. Drug abuse not only ruins the life of the drug addict but also largely impacts those who stay with such a person who cannot live without drugs or who are involved in the illicit trading of drugs.
For years, many television serials and documentaries have been made to divert the attention of society to this genuine problem prevailing around us. During the 70s films like Dev Anand’s Hare Rama Hare Krishna or Feroz Khan’s Kala Sona threw light on the negative effects of drug abuse.
However, instead of lessening, the problem has worsened further. Incidentally, even though many people try to break from the addiction, enroll themselves at rehabilitation centers, and want to lead a normal life, society is not ready to completely accept them and give them a second chance mostly because of their earlier bad experiences.
And that is why this year’s theme for the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”
Stigma and discrimination can impact drug addicts badly
Those involved in drug abuse more often go out of their minds if they do not get their dose when required. They are moody and temperamental. And when they make a strong will to give up on drugs they need a lot of encouragement, motivation, morale as well as monetary support.
Turning them off when they approach you can be the worst decision as it may demotivate them and force them to go back to the dark life they are trying to come out of. Just being with them or listening to their problems can be enough at times to keep them focussed so that their will to stop taking drugs becomes stronger and finally one day they come out clean and lead a cleaner life for years ahead.
Creating awareness and raising voice
Many drug addicts or those who are the targets of illicit drug trafficking are unaware of the special NGO programs and legal or police help that can be made available to them if they are threatened physically or emotionally.
Creating awareness about all these facilities and support systems and raising voices against those promoting or involved in drug abuse or illicit trafficking is the need of the hour.