DRUG ABUSE

First - let's be clear what we mean by "drug abuse".

We're talking about the actions of people who regularly use illicit drugs or regularly abuse licit (i.e. legal) drugs. For the sake of clarity, we'll refer to both of these as drug abuse.

While this includes the use of substances like heroin, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy etc. it's important to remember that it also includes the abuse of prescription drugs like tranquillisers, sleeping pills and suchlike - and alcohol.

Drug abuse means the voluntary abuse of drugs - i.e. where people choose to do so.
 Drug dependence is a bit further down the line and involves compulsive abuse of drugs - i.e. where people are driven to abuse them by various internal compulsions. Almost all of us will have taken a mood-altering chemical at some time or another - i.e. what we call a drug. We've drunk coffee or tea, or had a few glasses of wine or beer. These are acceptable practices in terms of their health and social consequences.

However, some of us will have abused alcohol. Some will have smoked cannabis, taken amphetamines, ecstasy or heroin. This is dangerous, yet we choose to do this.  Why? People abuse drugs for many different reasons. Here's a few examples:

So what's the problem with abusing drugs - as an emotional painkiller or whatever?

They are risks associated with drug abuse! They include:
 Risk to personal safety - danger of death or injury by overdose, accident or aggression.
 Damage to health - including brain damage, liver failure, mental problems etc.
 Legal consequences - risk of imprisonment, fine and criminal record.
 Destructive behaviour - that can harm self, family and friends.

LINKS

National Institute on Drug Abuse
Prescription Drug Abuse
D.A.R.E.

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