Main points of drug abuse
Drug abuse is a major public health problem that impacts society on multiple levels. Directly or indirectly, every community is affected by drug abuse and addiction, as is every family. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our society at many levels. This includes health care expenditures, lost earnings, and costs associated with crime and accidents. This is an enormous burden that affects all of society - those who abuse these substances, and those who don't.
Addiction can happen at any age, but it usually starts when a person is young. If you continue to use drugs despite harmful consequences, you could be addicted. It is important to talk to a medical professional about it—your health and future could be at stake.
Have friends or family told you that you are behaving differently for no apparent reason—such as acting withdrawn, frequently tired or depressed, or hostile? You should listen and ask yourself if they are right—and be honest with yourself. These changes could be a sign you are developing a drug-related problem. Parents sometimes overlook such signs, believing them to be a normal part of the teen years. Only you know for sure if you are developing a problem because of your drug use. Here are some other signs:
• hanging out with different friends
• not caring about your appearance
• getting worse grades in school
• missing classes or skipping school
• losing interest in your favorite activities
• getting in trouble in school or with the law
• having different eating or sleeping habits
• having more problems with family members and friends
Drug abuse impacts the individual, family, and community. Everybody knows someone who is affected by drug abuse.
Individual:
• Adolescence: This is a time period of high vulnerability to drug abuse and other risk taking behaviors.
• Mental Illness: People with mental illness are particularly at risk for problems related to substance abuse.
• Consequences of Substance Abuse: These can include illness, injuries, and death. Each year approximately 40 million debilitating illnesses or injuries occur among as the result of their use of tobacco, alcohol, or another addictive drug.
• Deaths: In 2000, approximately 460,000 deaths were attributable to illicit drug abuse and smoking.
Drug use in Thailand is becoming an increasing problem. Heroin and opium are still popular drugs for users in Thailand, but they are being replaced by Yaba. Yaba is a combination of caffeine and methamphetamine, mainly manufactured in Burma.
Other drugs like ecstasy and cocaine are also becoming a serious concern in Thailand, but not as much as heroin and yaba. Thailand has strict laws against drug users, which include the use of the death penalty, but these laws do not stop the people from using drugs. Drug use in Thailand is not only affecting the lower class but all classes of society.