Drug abuse
Drug abuse is the use of illegal
drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications in ways other
than recommended or intended. It also includes intentional inhalation of
household or industrial chemicals for their mind-altering effects. Tobacco use
and problem drinking are sometimes included in the definition of drug abuse.[1]
Many drugs that are abused are also addictive; they cause cravings and a continued desire to use them despite negative consequences. Drug abuse can start in childhood and continue in adulthood. Studies of high school students indicate that approximately 42% drink alcohol, 21% use marijuana, and 3% use cocaine. Approximately 12% have used inhalants, and 20% have abused prescription drugs. [1]
Symptoms of drug abuse
Symptoms of drug abuse include those
of intoxication and those related to unfulfilled responsibilities and the
social consequences of drug use.
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Common symptoms drug abuse
Drug abuse can cause problems in
interpersonal relationships, at home, on the job, and with the law. Symptoms of
drug abuse related to these problems include:
Ø Craving the drug despite difficulties
obtaining it or wanting to quit
Ø Deterioration of relationships
Ø Deterioration of school or work
performance
Ø Difficulty holding a job
Ø Disengagement from non–drug-related
activities
Ø Financial problems
Ø High-risk sexual behavior
Ø Increasing time spent thinking about,
obtaining, using, and recovering from the drug
Ø Leaving responsibilities unfulfilled
Ø Legal problems
Ø Needing higher doses to get the same
effect (tolerance)
Ø Using a drug to avoid its withdrawal symptoms
Ø Using drugs before or during
activities where safety is a concern
Common symptoms of drug intoxication
Drug
use can lead to symptoms of intoxication including:
Ø Balance
problems, difficulty
walking, and falls
Ø Change
in mental status
Ø Changes
in mood, personality or behavior
Ø Diminished
reflexes
Ø Drowsiness or
excessive energy
Ø Impaired
balance and coordination
Ø Impaired
judgment and memory
Ø Impaired
vision
Ø Nausea with
or without vomiting
Ø Pupil
size changes
Ø Slurred speech;
excessive talking [1]
Serious symptoms that might indicate a
life-threatening condition
In
some cases, drug abuse can be life threatening.
Ø Being
a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational, or suicidal
behavior
Ø Overdose
symptoms, such as rapid or slow pulse; respiratory or breathing problems, such
as shortness of
breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing,
not breathing, choking; abdominal pain,
vomiting, diarrhea;
cool and clammy skin or
hot skin; sleepiness, chest pain, confusion or
loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
Ø Trauma,
such as bone deformity, burns, eye injuries, and other injuries [1]
The
cause of drug abuse is not known, nor is it understood why some people can
abuse drugs briefly and stop without difficulty, whereas others continue using
drugs despite undesirable consequences. Biological factors, such as genetics
and the presence of other psychiatric
disorders, may play a role, as may environmental factors, such as
peer pressure, history of abuse, and stress, and developmental factors, such as
the timing of drug exposure. [1]
Risk factors for drug abuse
A
number of factors increase a person’s risk of abusing drugs. Not all people
with risk factors will abuse drugs. Risk factors for drug abuse include:
Ø Anxiety disorders
or depression
Ø Attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder
Ø Early
drug use
Ø Lack
of parental supervision
Ø Male
gender
Ø Parental
substance abuse
Ø Peer
pressure
ØPersonality
disorders, such as antisocial behavioral
disorder or borderline personality disorder
Ø Physical
or sexual abuse
Ø Poor
family communication or bonding
Ø Stress
[1]
The goals of drug abuse treatment are
aimed at stopping drug-seeking and use, preventing complications of drug
withdrawal, rehabilitation, maintaining abstinence, and preventing relapse.
Treatment depends on the drug being abused, whether addiction is present, and
whether there are coexisting health or psychological problems.
Common treatment
Treatment
of drug abuse is often an extended process involving multiple components
including:
Ø Cognitive behavioral therapy to work on thought patterns and behavior
Ø Family therapy to help the family understand the problem and to avoid enabling drug use
Ø Identification and treatment of coexisting conditions
Ø Medications to decrease cravings, block withdrawal symptoms, counteract drug effects, or to cause unpleasant side effects if a drug is used
Ø Motivational incentives to reinforce abstinence
Ø Motivational interviewing to utilize a person’s readiness to change behaviors
Ø Rehabilitation to assist those with severe addiction or coexisting mental illness through the initial stages of quitting
Ø Supervised withdrawal (detoxification) to prevent, recognize and treat physical symptoms of withdrawal
Ø Support groups [1]
Potential complications of drug abuse
Complications
of untreated drug abuse can be serious, even life threatening in some cases.
You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the
treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for
you. Complications of drug abuse include:
Ø Brain damage, memory loss, attention difficulties, and impaired judgment
Ø Cancer
Ø Cardiovascular disease
Ø Hepatitis, HIV and AIDS, and other infectious diseases
Ø Legal, academic, work and social problems
Ø Liver, lung or kidney disease
Ø Malnutrition
Ø Psychological changes, including aggression, paranoia, depression and hallucinations
Ø Respiratory arrest
Ø Stroke
Ø Stupor or coma
Ø Withdrawal symptoms [1]
Narcotics
Act
The newly amended law in the
Narcotics Control Act 2018 imposes the death penalty or life term imprisonment
on drug traders, restricting their release from punishment for such crimes. [2]
Previously Bangladesh had no adequate
and enabling law to handle the sordid condition created by drug abuse and the
related issues. All that we had at that time were some colonial laws (the Opium
Act, 1878, the Excise Act 1909, the Dangerous Drugs Act 1930, the Opium Smoking
Act 1932 and the Prohibition Rules, 1950) inherited from the British and
Pakistan period. These laws were intended and designed for earning government
revenues through excise levying activities. These laws, however, proved to be
inadequate to suit the needs of the time. The Government of the People's
Republic of Bangladesh enacted the Narcotics Control Act in 1990 repealing all
the colonial laws with a view to encountering drug problem true to the
aspiration of our society. [3]
The Narcotics Control
Act 1990
The
Narcotics Control Act, 1990 was passed in 1990 by repealing all previous laws
for control of narcotics, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. The
government has enacted the Narcotics Control Act, 1990 as amended in 2000, 2002
and 2004 in order to update the law.
The
Narcotics Control Act, 1990 (as amended in 2000, 2002 and 2004) has got the
following salient features
1.
The Narcotics Control Act. 1990 came into force on 2nd January, 1990.
2.
It is a special law having predominance over other laws in respect of its ambit
and jurisdiction on drugs and drug related issues.
3.
Interception of illicit drug trafficking through law enforcement, control of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances used in medical, industrial and
scientific purposes coupled with treatment and rehabilitation of the drug
addicts underlie the propriety of this law.
4.
It provides legal coverage for establishment of the Department of Narcotics
Control (DNC) as the Nodal Agency of the government to fulfil the objectives of
the law in question. It also provides the legal basis for formation of the
National Narcotics Control Board (NNCB) as the highest policy-making body of
the government for formulating necessary policies and strategies to combat drag
problem in the country.
5.
The Narcotics Control Act. 1990 empowers not only the Department of Narcotics
Control but also the other agencies of the government like the Police, the BDR
(the border security force), the Customs and the Coastguard for drug
enforcement activities.
6.
This law provides for mutual cooperation among the different law enforcement
agencies as and when required for conduct of search, seizure and arrests.
7.
The law introduces an effective licensing system for controlling import,
export, manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale, transport, possession
and use of licit narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor
chemicals.
8.
This law prescribes deterrent punishment for various categories of drug
offences as well as for breach of the conditions of the licenses issued under
the law.
9.
The law prescribes the highest penalty of death sentence for the offenders
accused of possessing either heroin or cocaine or cocaine derivatives exceeding
the quantity of 25 grams. Similarly the illegal possession of pethidine or
morphine or possession of tetra-hydro-canabinal exceeding the quantity of 10
grams renders the offender or offenders concerned liable to death sentence or
life-long imprisonment. Death sentence has also been prescribed for certain
other drug offences of serious nature
10.
The law takes the wisdom of the three major UN Conventions and the SAARC
Convention on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances particularly in regard
to forfeiture of sale proceeds of illegal drug business, freezing of bank
accounts and properties, sending of juvenile offenders to the correction centre
in lieu of imprisonment, inclusion of the controlled delivery technique,
compulsory maintenance of accounts of licit drugs by the license holders,
incorporation of the 22 precursor chemicals and so on.
11.
The law provides the legal basis for the Chemical Laboratory of the DNC and its
proper functioning in respect of forensic analysis of all seized drugs and
suspicious substances. This lab, established in Dhaka, caters to the needs of
all the agencies charged with the responsibilities of drug enforcement and
thereby it plays an important role in quick disposal of drug cases under trial.
12.
The amendment of 2000 to the law brings about the government first venture into
the control of precursor chemicals from drug control point of view.
13.
An amendment of 2002 has introduced the minimum time limit of 15 days for
completion of investigation of drug cases filed under this law.
14.
Another amendment in 2004 redefines alcohol by reducing the lowest limit of
alcoholic strength from 5% to only 0.5%. Any liquid preparation containing more
than 0.5% alcohol shall fall within the purview of the law. This amendment is
intended for safeguarding our young generations from the clutches of the
so-called energy (alcoholic) drinks and their bad impacts.
15.
The law has got 61 Sections in all. It has got two Schedules of which the first
schedule lists the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including the 22
precursor chemicals. The second schedule on the other hand lays down the rates
of excise duties to be imposed on the domestically produced liquor and
alcoholic spirit.
16.
The law is a unique combination of legal provisions comprising violation
sections, penal sections, hybrid sections (prescribing violation and punishment
together), modus operandi sections and administrative sections.
Adorned
with the foregoing features, the Narcotics Control Act. 1990 (as amended in
2000, 2002 and 2004) stands to be adequate and enabling enough to meet the
challenge of the time. [3]
Drug
ordinance & related policies
An
ordinance is to control manufacture, import, distribution and sale of drugs. Now,
THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the 24th March, 1982, and in
exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the Chief Martial Law
Administrator is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance: —
The drugs (control) ordinance, 1982
1. Short title.— This Ordinance may be called the Drugs
(Control) Ordinance, 1982.
2. Application of other Laws, etc.— The provisions of
this Ordinance shall be in addition to, and not in derrogation of, the Drugs
Act, 1940 (XXIII of 1940), and any other law for the timebeing in force and
shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in that
Act or in any such law or in any contract, agreement or document.
3. Definitions.—
(1) In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant
in this subject or context,
(a) "Act" means the Drugs Act, 1940 (XXIII of
1940);
(b) "Committee" means the Drugs Control
Committee constituted under this Ordinance ;
(c) "Council" means the National Drugs Advisory
Council constituted under this Ordinance :
(d) "Drug" shall have the same meaning as in
the Act and shall also include any substance exclusively used or prepared for
use in accordance with the ayurvedic, unani and homeopathic or biochemic system
of medicine;
(c) "Schedule" means Schedule to this
Ordinance.
(2) Words and expressions used but not defined in this
Ordinance shall have the same meaning as in the Act.
4. Drug Control Committee. —
(1) The Government shall constitute a Drug Control Committee
consisting of a Chairman and such other members as it may appoint from time to
time.
(2) The Committee shall perform such functions as are
specified in this Ordinance.
5. Registration of Medicines.—
(1) No medicine of
any kind shall be manufactured for sale or be imported, distributed or sold
unless it is registered with the licencing authority.
(2) The licencing authority shall not register a medicine
unless such registration is recommended by the Committee.
(3) A registration shall be granted on such conditions as
may be specified by the licencing authority.
(4) A registration shall, unless cancelled earlier, be
valid for a period of five years.
6. Cancellation or suspension of registration. —
(1) The licencing
authority may cancel the registration of any medicine if the Committee
recommends such cancellation.
(2) The Committee shall evaluate every medicine
registered
(3) If on such evaluation the Committee finds that any
such medicine is not sale, efficacious or useful it may recommend to the
licencing authority cancellation of registration of the medicine.
(4) The licencing authority may, if it is satisfied that
a medicine is substandard, 7. Fees for registration.— No registration of a
medicine shall be granted unless a fee to be determined by the Government is
paid at the time of application for registration.
8. Prohibition of Manufacture, etc, of certain medicines
9. Restriction on import of certain pharmaceutical raw
material
10. Restriction on manufacture of certain drugs under
licence
11. Fixation of price of drugs
12. Review of certain licencing agreement with foreign
concerns
13. Employment of pharmacists. — (i) No person shall manufacture
any drug except under the personal supervision of a pharmacist registered in
Register 'A' of the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh
(2) No person,
being a retailer, shall sell any drug without the personal supervision of a
pharmacist registered in any Register of the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh
14. Control of advertisement and claims in respect of
drugs
15. Good practices in the manufacturer and quality
control of drugs
16. Penalty for manufacture, etc., of certain drugs.—
17. Penalty for manufacture or sale of sub-standard drugs
19. Penalty for sale of medicine or import or sale of pharmaceutical
raw material at a higher price
20. Penalty for theft, etc., of Government drugs
21. Penalty for illegal advertisement and claims
22. Cognizance of offences
23. Drug Courts.—
(1) The Government may, by notification in the official
Gazette establish as many Drug Courts as it considers necessary and where it
establishes more than one Drug Court shall specify in the notification the
territorial limits within which each one of them shall exercise jurisdiction
under this Ordinance.
(2) A Drug Court shall consist of a person who is or has
been a Sessions Judge and he shall be appointed by the Government.
(3) A Drug Court shall sit at such place as the
Government may direct.
24. National Drug Advisory Council, —
(1) The Government shall constitute a National Drug Advisory
Council consisting of a Chairman and such oilier members as it may appoint from
time to lime.
(2) The Council shall advise the Government on—
(a) measures to be adopted for the implementation of the
national drug policy that may be adopted by the Government from time to time;
(b) measures for the promotion of local pharmaceutical
industries and production and supply of essential drugs for meeting the needs
of the country.
(c) matters relating to the import of drugs and
pharmaceutical raw materials.
(d) measures for the co-ordination of the activities of
the various Ministries, agencies and persons dealing with manufacture, import,
distribution and sale of drugs.
25. Power to make rules. — The Government may, be notification in the official Gazelle, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance. [4]
References
1.
Drug Abuse By
Healthgrades Editorial Staff
2.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2018/12/21/revised-narcotics-control-law-gets-tough-with-drug-traders
3.
https://www.thedailystar.net/law/2009/06/04/review.htm
4.
THE DRUGS (CONTROL) ORDINANCE, 1982 Ordinance
No. VIII of 1982 [Published in the Bangladesh Gazette, Extraordinary, dated the
12th June, 1982.]
5.
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