Running Head: DRUG ABUSE 1

Drug Abuse: Factors, Consequences, Solutions

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SE114 Expository Writing
January April 2014
Group Assignment
Drug Abuse 2
Contents
Outline------------------------------------------------------------- pg 3
Introduction------------------------------------------------------- pg 4
Literature Review------------------------------------------------ pg 6
Discussion--------------------------------------------------------- pg 10
Insight-------------------------------------------------------------- pg 12
Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------- pg 14
References--------------------------------------------------------- pg 15
Appendices-------------------------------------------------------- pg 17
Slides--------------------------------------------------------------- pg 19

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Outline
1.1 Definition of drug abuse
Thesis statement
1.2 Background
What is drug abuse?
Types of drugs
How serious in our country?
Percentage drug abuse in Malaysia

2.1 Factors contributing to the problem
Family, social and environment
Peer group
Stress
2.2 Consequences of the problem
Addict himself: Health problem
Family
Birth defects
2.3 Solutions
Intervenes in media
Drug rehabilitations
Programmes

3.1 Conclusion


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Introduction
Social issues appear as a part of any society. Different societies may have different
perceptions of what is acceptable to them; however drug abuse has always been in a negative
limelight, especially in Malaysia.
First and foremost, what is drug abuse? According to the World Health Organisation,
drug abuse refers to the harmful use of psychoactive substances including illegal drugs. The
term itself implies negative judgment of drug use in question. It is a general misconception
that medicines attained legally are harmless, but in fact they are still drugs and will cause
adverse aftereffects if overdosed. For instance we have always seen on television how a
character tries to suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. Because prescribed medicines are
generally easier to obtain, they are often misused for non-medical purposes.
Drugs can be categorised into hard and soft drugs, where hard drugs lead to extreme
physical addiction while soft drugs do not cause physical addiction. Other than for medical
purposes, hard drugs are usually illegal substances such as heroin, meth and cocaine.
Examples of soft drugs are cannabis, LSD and mescaline. Although they do not lead to
physical addiction, continuous use may still bring about psychological dependency where
they feel much better with the drug than without. There are also drugs which cannot be
classified in both categories as they have the features of both hard and soft drugs. Examples
of such drugs are ecstasy, ketamine and caffeine.
Since 31 years ago drugs were declared as the nations number one enemy (National
Drug Policy, n.d.). Approaches and steps were taken to fight against the drug problem;
Antidrug Campaign was launched. It is also a mandatory capital punishment in this country
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for drug trafficking. What will happen to our promising future of younger generations if
actions are not taken to curb this issue? The misuse of drugs does not bring about positive
effect, as well as being detrimental and extremely addictive. Although many unfortunate
factors cause one to fall into drug abuse, many solutions exist to help from the horrible
consequences.

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Literature Review
Many factors contribute to why people condone drugs, which includes family problem,
peer influence, curiosity, stress and environment. Alex Lui, clinical psychologist at HELP
Universitys Department of Psychology, mentions that young adults who take drugs usually
have problems in their lives surrounding their family. In a family with both working parents,
the youth live very much independently. They do not spend quality time together and may
feel neglected by their workaholic parents. Often left alone, they conform to drugs to fill in
the void in their life. They feel as if the drug completes them, leaving them to hallucinate in
their own world where they can feel loved and wanted. Gradually, abuse becomes addiction.
Besides families who pay little attention to their child, there is also where addiction problems
run in the family. For instance, a smoking parent may lead to a smoking child, because seeing
their parent smoke everyday may induce thoughts that the certain behaviour is absolutely
normal and harmless. Drug abuse is also a genetic problem, where biological differences
make it harder for a person with certain genes to quit after they have started.
Friends and curiosity are other prominent factors to why people take drugs. Those
friends might or might not be current drug addicts, but skilfully playing with words and
emotions may lead to doing drugs. The peer would influence with fancy words of persuasion
and all the so-called-advantages doing so. Curiosity would get the better of them and
unfortunately lead to taking drugs. This happens a lot during clubs or parties, as peers or
other drug dealers would tell how much better they would feel or dance, how much energy
they would gain, if they take the drug and have the adrenaline running and pumping in them.
Do it once, call it experience, do it twice, call it addiction. The next time they enter places
like these, they would not feel complete or fun without the help of the stimulants.
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Many also succumb to drugs due to stressful lives, especially in work or studies when
the deadlines are coming in. Certain drugs help them stay awake for hours and even days, so
that they can finish up their tasks and assignments. Students take drugs when they are
cramming for examinations, hoping to finish revising in the nick of time, without sleeping.
Office workers also misuse drugs for the same reason, but also when the stress is too
overwhelming they do it just to feel relaxed and sometimes neglect their priorities.
Surrounding environments of a person will provide to drug taking. Drugs are much
more easily available in urban area. Especially nightlife in the city is much livelier compared
to the countryside. In addition, the challenges of living in urban areas with high maintenance
from social and economic aspects are key factors contributing to drug misuse, which happens
correspondently with high stress levels of the people trying to keep up with the increasing
monthly bills and price hikes.
Everything that happens has its consequences, let alone abuse of drugs, which
definitely bring about negative effects to the addict himself, the family and society. Drugs
have long term life impacts to those who misuse it, exceptionally to their psychological and
physical health. Specific effects vary on the substance and type of drug involved; generally,
when the addict is too mentally dependent on drugs, it can cause withdrawal symptoms when
they are without it, to the extent of paranoia, severe depression or suicidal thoughts (Dryden-
Edwards, 2012). In terms of physical effects on the body, it can range from seizures,
sleepiness, heavy breathing to rapid heartbeat, and not only permanent damages to tissues and
internal organs but also to death itself.
Relationships become an ongoing problem, where negative changes happen and
conflict between friends, colleagues and family occur. Family breakdowns are also more
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common. Families may be looked down upon because they have a member who does drugs,
and the addict himself is shunned. Being drug-affected results to not being able to keep up
with jobs and have reduced productivity and ability, consequently losing friends and job
prospects. With no job, addict suffers from financial pressures as they find themselves having
difficulties paying their bills or buying necessities. Some would have spent their allowances
on drugs, leading to extra stress, even risking everything in gambling to only end up losing or
funding themselves by involving in criminal activities.
For female drug users, consumption of illicit drugs can result in severe temporary and
permanent issues. Studies have shown it is both unsafe for the mother and the unborn baby,
effects inclusive of miscarriage, premature labour, low birth weight, and foetus death. For
instance, marijuana crosses through the placenta to the baby, containing toxins that prevents
proper supply of oxygen, and then increases the level of carbon dioxide and monoxide which
will suffocate the baby. Fortunate babies escape from miscarriages, will have delayed
development, behavioural and learning problems. Heroin usage during pregnancy increases
the chance of premature labour. As heroin is an addictive drug, even the baby unborn or
born can become dependent on the drug. Effects of this drug on the baby include sleep
abnormalities, joint stiffness, and convulsions.
As drug abuse is a wide issue with variety of causes, many solutions exist in order to
curb and help those with drug addiction problem, such as rehabilitation, media intervene,
antidrug programmes and family support. The primary goal of drug abuse treatment is to
provide rehabilitation and prevent relapses. In the initial stages of abstinence, addict goes
through detoxification of the body through frequent medical monitoring where medications
are used to reduce withdrawal symptoms. For many, this stage is the hardest stage to cope
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with the addiction symptoms which tends to last for a few weeks. Besides physical treatment,
it is much more challenging to deal with the psychological addiction. However after
following such treatment, addicts who come out benefits from it, and at least will be able to
get a decent job and life considering they do not go into relapses.
The media have put a lot of effort in promoting antidrug campaigns. We can see short
films, television and radio commercials, and advertisement that showcase the drastic effect of
being involved in drugs. Pictures of physical deformities and health issues are included in the
cigarette packs. Media plays a big role and influence in a persons thinking and decision
making. Moreover, they also promote antidrug programmes in schools in universities.
Authorities or volunteers from antidrug societies visit schools to give talks about the adverse
effects of misusing drugs and drugs itself in detail, or even personal talks and session with
other recovered addicts.
Most importantly is family support which plays a big role. Prevention starts at home.
Relationship between parent and children should be built from early age to encourage bond
and trust, where they can have discussions about many things including the danger of drugs.
It may be difficult for some families with both working parents, yet, even as simple as having
meals and recreational activities together help create bond.

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Discussion
In recent news, occurrence of six tragic deaths and three others in critical condition
due to synthetic drug overdose at a local rave concert is being highlighted. The music party
was initially set for three days, however because of the tragedy the third day was cancelled in
the eleventh hour. Throughout both days of the concert, 22 including three foreigners and
locals were arrested for possession of narcotics. In conjunction of this issue, the upcoming
Worlds Largest Paint Party in Kuala Lumpur has also been called off in view of the public
safety, leaving many in disagreement and disappointment.
Cancelling a concert or two may be a good move in this short period of time; however
the main question here is how did the people obtain those drugs and is able to enter the venue
without being checked? Even so, spot-checking during the party itself is a poor move, as
what should be done is to ensure illegal drugs are not brought into the country and dealers are
shut down. It shows our country has strong laws, but weak enforcement. Actions need to be
taken to until drugs stop becoming the major threat in our society.
From the appendices, Table 1 shows the number of drug addicts in Malaysia for Year
2009 to 2013. Based on the statistics by the National Antidrug Agency, averages of 8,721
new addicts are traced each year throughout the five year period. Numbers of repeat
offenders are lesser, to average of 5,219 addicts annually. The most addicts traced are in 2008,
with total up to 23,642 addicts in only a year. A drastic drop up to fifty percent occurred in
the subsequent year, to only 11,194 addicts and then gradual decreasing trend of addicts in
ensuing years after.

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Table 2 shows the number of addicts in 2012 and 2013 according to the states in
Malaysia. States with the highest number of addicts in 2013 are Kedah, Perak, Selangor and
Kuala Lumpur respectively. The least number of addicts is none, in the state of Labuan, in
Sabah. This is parallel to the factor of surrounding environment, where there are more addicts
in the urban compared to the rural areas.
Chart 1 shows a big difference between number of male and female drug addicts. This
shows that the male community are much more prone to be addicted to drugs than the
females.


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Insight
Before we did this term paper, we only had little or surface knowledge about drugs.
We know it causes long term effects, addiction and diseases. We also know that drugs also
bring about positive effects. But, all of those are just simple information that we normally
know from books or lecture.
After doing this paper, we gained a lot of new knowledge on drugs from the
researches we have done in the internet, books and newspapers. All of those are very valuable
information as without this term paper we would not have the chance to properly analyse and
find out accurate information about drugs. Furthermore, this term paper enabled us to take
more caution before taking any drugs, may it be simply antibiotics or vitamins before
consulting legal and credible doctors. Sometimes we keep our prescribed medicine when we
dont finish it, and tend to take them again when we catch the same illness. It is not a good
habit as we do not know what is happening inside our body, or if they are symptoms for other
ailment instead.
Besides that, we realize that drug use mostly begin in the preteen and teenage years. It
is because during these years, adolescents are faced with difficult tasks or challenges of
discovering their self-identity and clarifying their roles in life. Sometimes it may lead to
depression and this is the time whereby they will start looking for something to help them
forget about the stress and it is drugs.
During adolescence years of one of our group members, she had peers who actually
did drugs, majority because of peer influence. To be honest, she was about to try it when they
asked her to. Not because she wanted to fit in the group, but because of the curiosity that she
had, to be able to try new things so that she gets new experiences. She had this principle she
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thought she could hold on to, that she could control herself she would not be an addict even
after trying drugs. Fortunately, the other friends of hers who found out about the situation
stopped her from doing so. Now that she looked back, she feels really thankful to them who
pulled her back from the edge. It is because after doing all the researches for this assignment,
she thoroughly understands the negative effect of drugs that will not only affect ourselves but
also the people around us.
Drugs bring both positive and negative effects on us, and in every good thing, there is
a bad hat. Basically what we can do to further ourselves from them is to live positively, and
manage ourselves for the better. You never know what happens in the future one second
later, one hour later all we can do is to live life to the fullest.

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Conclusion
In summation, drug abuse itself implies a negative judgment in this society we are
living in now. Misusing them is something anyone should never try or even come close to
despite the persuading factors where it may seem okay to be taking drugs just for once or
twice, who knows it will become long term as it has already affected the brain and cognitive
thinking and then ruining life altogether. We can see very devastating consequences to not
only the addict himself but also to people around them, who may be hurt physically or
mentally because of one person himself who was too careless and took drugs. Although
various solutions exist to help save the addict, it cannot be guaranteed he would not relapse
back into drug abusing once again. Everyone, including the person himself have roles in
preventing drug abuse, no matter small or big. It is important to look for positive outlets from
the problems in life in lieu of taking drugs.
To concur, prevention is key, a much better method than to cure after being
contaminated. There needs to be more education on the issue rather than just a simple scan
through in spite of being a taboo subject in this country. Instead of leaving it to authorities or
school teachers to take action, parents themselves play a big role in teaching their children on
the dangers of drugs. With adequate knowledge and information given regarding drugs to the
society and public, particularly to the younger generations, together with enforcement and
imposing of laws, we believe this drug issue can be curbed in near future.



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References

Cheng, N. (2014, March 16). Six die of overdose at music fest. The Star Online. Retrieved
from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/16/Six-die-of-overdose-at-
fest-Three-others-in-critical-condition-after-consuming-drugs
Dryden-Edwards, R. (2012) Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/
drug_abuse/page3.htm#what_are_the_physical_and_psychological_effects_of_drug_a
buse_and_addiction
Mei, W. P. (2014, March 15). Keeping mum about drugs. The Star Online. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/03/15/Keeping-mum-about-
drugs-Study-shows-more-than-40-of-parents-uncomfortable-talking-about-it
National Antidrug Agency Malaysia. (n.d.). National Drug Policy. Retrieved from
http://www.adk.gov.my/web/english/drug-policy
National Antidrug Agency Malaysia. (2013). Laporan dadah bulan disember 2013. Retrieved
from http://www.adk.gov.my/html/laporandadah/2013/Laporan%20Dadah%20Bulan%
20Disember%202013.pdf
National Drugs Campaign. (n.d.) How drug use can impact your life. Retrieved from
http://www.drugs.health.gov.au/internet/drugs/publishing.nsf/content/campaign/$file/
How%20drug%20use%20can%20impact%20your%20life.pdf
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (n.d.). Drug Facts: Understanding Drug Abuse and
Addiction. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/
understanding-drug-abuse-addiction

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Rashvinjeet. S. Bedi. (2011, May 15). The Star Online. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?file=%2f2011%2f5%2f15%2fnation%2f8672
595&sec=nation
WHO. (n.d.). Substance abuse. WHO. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/topics/substance_abuse/en/

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Appendices
Table 1: Number of addicts in Year 2009-2013
YEAR
NEW REPEAT TOTAL
Number % Number % Number %
2009 7,123 45.27 8,613 54.73 15,736 100
2010 17,238 72.91 6,404 57.09 23,642 100
2011 6,956 62.14 4,238 37.86 11,194 100
2012 5,270 58.46 3,745 41.54 9,015 100
2013 4,768 60.63 3,096 39.37 7,864 100
Source: National Antidrug Agency Malaysia
Table 2: Number of addicts in Year 2012-2013 according to state











Source: National Antidrug Agency Malaysia
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15458
23062
11002
8849
7721
278
580
192 166 143
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Comparison between Gender
Male Female
Chart 1: Comparison of addicts according to gender







Source: National Antidrug Agency Malaysia

Picture 1: 1987 Malaysian 20 cents stamp, UN Anti-Drug Campaign and Congress






Source: Kedaisetem website
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Slides
























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