Spotlight

Substance Abuse: The Dawn of Euphoria and Annihilation

Wrishi Thakur Raphael

Dr. Golam Mustafa Sarker

Twenty-first Century: History will call upon this period as the time when the citadels of our civilization became consumed by their own demolition. It will be remembered as the time when the terms pop culture, substance abuse and sexual perversions became one and the same. Thanks to the present trends of globalization drug manufacture and drug peddling has become a multibillion dollar industry. The last four decades has witnessed hard drugs to be the tyrants with the most juvenile carcasses within their merciless clutches and because of our deceit and callousness the numbers continue to climb.

The newest club drug ushers our youth to the world of euphoria and ecstasy and sucks them clean of their vitality and exuberance. But unfortunately the victims hardly realize the fact until it is too late. The irony of the situation remains that although a lot is being said and done to save society from substance abuse the numbers are not shrinking.

Research and experimentation to develop a stronger club drug persists in gloomy godforsaken allies of our 'civilized' concrete jungles. Drug packers (people who pack various body parts with drugs for the purpose of smuggling) and other smugglers are conspiring, attempting and often succeeding to transport more and more death potion across national and international borders. The elders of our families are becoming ever more materialistic to chase money and ever more focused to climb up the social ladder, that they forget the ones who need the most attention their children. Teenagers are being able to find hard drugs closer to their homes than a cool joint to hang out with friends and family. New modes of drug peddling include home delivery in sleek BMWs and Porches. The daily dose of cocaine sniffing Kurt Cobain and other stars (!!) on MTV just adds to the incentive to be high and cool.

Resultant of all of which is the untimely demise of our youth. Only when the blood of our loved ones stains our hands, do we repent for our treachery. But by then it's too late for redemption. The junky could be our brother, sister, kid next door or any one who's loved.

How do we recognize them when they are around us? Some common and not so common drugs and the symptoms they produce are given below,

1. Amphetamines: Amphetamines like Yaba and Ecstasy have taken the drug situation by storm. Those of us in rich neighborhoods, beware! Since these are prized items (!!) the target groups are more likely to be rich or affluent.

a) Yaba: What used to be fuel for ruthless mercenaries and guerillas during the Second World War is used as an aphrodisiac and club drug. The marketers of this fine product have devised ways to actually make Yaba delicious and colorful. They can even be found as chocolate flavored gems, if only one knew where to look.

Symptoms of Intoxication Yaba increases body temperature, sweating, excitement, induces sleeplessness, tremor, blurred vision, convulsions, muscle pain and suicidal tendency.

b) Ecstasy:
Symptoms of Intoxication Ecstasy can cause nausea hyperreflexia (increase response to mild stimulation) muscle pain, jaw clenching, dilated pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth, sweating and visual hallucination.

Why are the Amphetamines dangerous?
A slight overdose of these drugs can cause acute renal failure, (kidneys will stop functioning which is evident when urination is very scanty or absent over a period of 24 hours) irreversible liver damage, convulsions, respiratory distress and last but not the least there can be a severe rise in heart rate until the cardiac muscles start to wear out; leading to heart failure.

2. Crack/Cocaine: Cocaine hydrochloride is usually found as white crystalline powder or colorless crystals. 'Crack' is cocaine devoid of the hydrochloride radical and is smoked with cigarette. So smokers, be careful who you share sticks with.

Symptoms of Intoxication Cocaine causes agitation, vomiting, loss of redness of lower eyelids and palms, cold sweats and raised blood pressure.

Why is Cocaine dangerous?
Cocaine happens to be one of the most addictive drugs in the world. It is capable of causing spasm of blood vessels supplying the heart leading to severe chest pain and other symptoms of heart failure. Cocaine abuse is one of the leading causes of heart failure in the young.

3. Opioids: These include morphine, heroine and pethidine. Opioids are most commonly used intravenous (something which is introduced directly into blood vessels through syringes) drugs in the world. They give a rapid, intensely pleasurable experience accompanied by heightened sexual arousal.

The risk of contracting AIDS is much higher in intravenous drug abusers then those who don't have the filthy habit.

Symptoms of Intoxication Opioids cause depressed respiration, small pupils, depressed consciousness and needle marks.

Why are the Opioids dangerous?
They lower body temperature and blood pressure to a level critical enough to deprive the brain of much required arterial blood which leads to coma. Respiratory depression is also a common cause of death.

4. Sleeping pills: Diazepam still remains the common sleeping pill of misuse.

Symptoms of Intoxication Sleeping can cause abnormal voluntary movements, incoherent speech and cyclic eye movements.

Why are sleeping pills dangerous?
They can cause cerebral depression and coma.
I suppose we could never stop scheming against the abomination of civil society. But no one could be immune to the threats they pose until we let our conscience take the driver's seat for a change. Time for contemplation is upon us. All claims of righteousness are futile if we are unable to deal with these phantoms with tact, delicacy and an open mind. The new day beckons … will the demons of our society continue to ravage our world, while brandishing the corpses of our youth or will we at least start the fight to see a better day?

N.B. I would like to acknowledge the help and cooperation of my beloved teacher Dr. Golam Mustafa Sarker, Department of Forensics and Toxicology, Dhaka National Medical College.

The Curse Of Drugs

Nadia Saleh

Drug addiction is not a new phenomenon in our country. But recently it has taken a new turn/move with the introduction of 'Yaba'. Tragic enough, many young people of the well-off families, areas, and universities are the victims of it.

The young generation is usually very daring and energetic. They love to be adventurous. It is in their nature. So out of interest for a new experience, they sometimes tend to take drugs. They believe that they should just try it once or twice then give up. What they fail to realize is that, once you are caught in the web it is very hard/difficult to get out of it. Sometimes people take drugs out of misery and frustration as well. Even, some fall in the traps of bad friend circle that mislead them to this dark path.

Drug addiction is a curse for our society as it is destroying the young generation, who are the future of our country. It is a great relief to know that RAB has been able to seize a great amount of 'Yaba' tablets and arrest some of the people engaged in illegal trade. They have even identified some sources through which drugs are creeping in our country. The security should be strengthened more in the port areas as through them these hazardous products are making their way into the country.

We know that Bangladesh is a developing country. Already, our country is so full of problems such as increasing population, poverty, pollution as well as addiction. We are struggling to cope with these and trying to improve our situation. The last thing we need now is an extra element adding to these existing problems. So, the government should strictly monitor so that such mishaps cannot occur again.

The drug-addicted people should be handled with care. They must not be neglected or avoided by the society. They need the touch of love, affection and cooperation from the society to help themselves out of their miserable lives. Family members, friends can play a great role here. If the situation is worse, there are rehabilitation centres that help such people to start their life anew.

People addicted to drugs feel that there is no point of return in their lives now. Everything is doomed. All is lost. But it's not the end. There is still hope. The striking example for this can be the popular folk singer Anusheh from the band "Bangla". Years back, she boldly admitted on television that she used to take drugs but was able to quit the bad habit. Now, we see her leading a perfectly healthy and happy life.

So, everyone should be careful not to take drugs even for fun. Time and again, there are concerts where celebrities advertise for "Say No To Drugs". Lectures and seminars are held revealing the bad effects of drugs and the curse of it. All should remember that drugs are not a solution, rather the cause for death and thus people should refrain from taking drugs to lead a healthy and prosperous life.