SADA Pakistan Premier Online Magazine Against Drug Addiction

Vol 3 April 2011

A PUBLICATION OF DRUG FREE NATION

Riffat Sadiq PhD (Fellow) Editor-in-Chief

Safia Rafiq M Phil Associate Editor

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Content

Content Page Al Quran 1

Message 2

Introduction of Drugs By Dr.Abdullah Wardak

4

Ethical Responsibility of Health Professionals By Riffat

Sadiq

5

Role of electronic Media in Preventing Drug Abuse

Problems By Haider Ali

9

Leading a dead life 10

From Sobriety to Success

11

Family story

12

Al Quran

Page 1

O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing

on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but

defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be

successful.

Ayat No 90 Surah Al Maidha

Page 2

Message

Dear Haider

Thank you for sending the online magazine. Interesting articles.

Congratulations to your Team for the effort.

Tay Bian How

Drug Advisory Programme

The Colombo Plan Secretariat

31, Wijerama Mawatha Colombo 07 Sri Lanka

Dear Haider Ali,

Thank you very much for your email and the link to your online

magazine, which I looked at and it is great!

If you would like to use any of our booklets or our Public Service

Announcements on your website, or put a link from your website to

our, we would be very happy for you to do this.

You can let me know if you want to do this and then I can see how

we can give you the soft copy of the materials.

Sincerely

Judi Shervell

Coordinator

Drug Free World

Page 3

Message

Dear Haider

Commendable efforts for the cause. Thank you.

Regards

Rana Asif

Initiator Human Development Foundation

Dear Haider

Thanks for the mail and my salute for the new organization. Hope

for the best.

Zahid Iqbal

Program Officer

Addiction Management and Integrated Care (AMIC)

an Institution of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Bangladesh

Thanks for information sharing we are with u with u ,if u have

needed any support from our side we are with u .

Thanks

Shahid

Page 4

Article

Introduction of Drugs

By Dr.Abdullah Wardak

Drug abuse is consumption of drugs, other than for

medicinal purposes or in unnecessary quantities .people

who abuse and develop dependence on narcotics drugs and

psychoses substances are generally known as ''drug

addicts'' From the sociologist point of view ''drug

addiction is the state of assimilation into a specific life

style of drug taking ''where is from the psychiatric and

medical point of view. it implies physical ,psychological and

psychic dependence on the tolerance of drug with

tendency to increase the doses, legally in several

countries it is explained as ''habitual use of drugs

,associated with their loss of self control and

consequences detrimental to the individual and harmful to

the public morals, safety ,health and welfare of the

society .

The world health organization (WHO, 1973) has defined

drug abuse as a stat of periodic, chronic intoxication,

detrimental to the individual and to the society, produced

by repeated consumption of drugs either natural or

synthetic. The value loaded meanings of terms like drug

abuse, drug addiction, drug habituation etc .forced the

WHO( 1974)to replace this concept with the new one

called ''DRUG DPENDENCE" the WHO defies this as a

state arising from the above conceptualization of drug

abuse.

It is not a new problem to be takeled, it is being dealt

globally since so many decades but now it demands specials

emphasis and integrated by developing countries that

require extensive programs but have limited resources as

compared to developed countries that have well planned

principles to follow.

Int

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Introduction of Drugs

Page 5

Article

Ethical Responsibility of Health

Professionals

By Riffat Sadiq

Healing refers to make an ill person free from all kinds of

pain and distress. Years ago, hakeem (herbalist) was there

to treat patients. Many people used to visit spiritual healer

for their illnesses having thought of being victim of witch

craft (black magic). With the passage of time, proper

institutes have been established to train those who were

interested in healing sick person. Now, people have

different options to visit health professionals according to

their need.

Healing itself is not just confined to treat a patient or make

prescriptions but it is a way to dealing an ill person.

Therefore, health professionals are ethically responsible to

go in depth while attending patients pertaining to their

presenting problems. Researches have proved that behind physical

problems/diseases, number of psychological and social factors work.

Unfortunately, there are health professionals, not all, who do not bother to

uncover the hidden factors and merely treat the problem as it appears. As

being happened in the case of addiction of tranquilizers/painkiller which is

killing our nation slowly and silently. Unfortunately, it is not easily recognized

by a common man. Usually, tranquilizers/painkillers are prescribed by health

professionals to overcome excessive worries, sleep disorders and severe pain.

But continuous use of these medicines/injection, by own self, result in

addiction. During working experience in an addiction treatment centre, my

female addicted patients reported that when they consulted doctors in case

of severe tension and disturbed sleep, they were recommended tranquilizers

to have sound sleep and reduce the level of tension. But frequent use of

tranquilizers eventuated in addiction.

Ethical Responsibility of Health

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Eth

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Page 6

Usually, tranquilizers/painkillers are prescribed by health professionals to

overcome excessive worries, sleep disorders and severe pain. But

continuous use of these medicines/injection, by own self, result in

addiction. During working experience in an addiction treatment centre, my

female addicted patients reported that when they consulted doctors in

case of severe tension and disturbed sleep, they were recommended

tranquilizers to have sound sleep and reduce the level of tension. But

frequent use of tranquilizers eventuated in addiction.

One of my patient also reported that she used to remain disturbed and

could not sleep all the night owing to having severe conflicts with husband

and in-laws. Doctor prescribed her laxotanil. Initially, she used to take one

tablet at night but gradually, she became habituated. Whenever, she got

tensed, she took medicine and now she could not go to bed without taking

laxotanil. Medicine did not solve her problems but made her addicted that

ruined her marital life one day. She couldn't do her household chores

properly and take care of her children. As a result, she lost her family,

husband and every thing.

A primary school teacher was overwhelmed by feelings of apprehension and

inferiority complex owing to poverty at home, frequent bickers between

parents since her childhood, not having suitable proposal and lack of

gratification of her need for affection. Her mother was on bed for many

years and used to take tranquilizer as prescribed by her physician. One

night, she thought to take same medicine to reduce her tension. That made

her addict and she could not be recovered yet.

Article

Ethical Responsibility of Health

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Page 7

In order to get quick relief from pain, people are also injecting

painkillers. One of my addicted patient reported to me that, ''I feel to

be more relaxed and tension free after injecting sosegon, because I do

not want to face frequent quarrels at home.'' Actually, doctor had

injected her that painkiller after surgery and since then she was using it

by her own self.

The trend of taking tranquilizers and painkillers is also common in men.

They also were recommended by their doctors to use them to overcome

their tension. Even, people working in hospitals and clinics are also using

these medicines by their own. They reported that they saw doctors

prescribing these medicines to psychologically disturbed patients for

stopping their worrying habits and poor sleep. Therefore, they did not

feel any harm of using it to treat same problems they had.

Researches revealed that causing factors for tension and disturbed

sleep vary among men and women. In men, earning bread for family is a

major stressor in South Asian Countries. Along with job stress, other

family problems like conflict between wife and parents also make them

disturbed. One of my acquaintances reported me that he was disturbed

and could not concentrate on his work owing to quarrel between his

mother/sister and wife and he asked me to recommend him psychotropic

medication.

On the other hand, conflicts with in laws, sarcasm frequently received

from partner, lack of amenities in life, overburden by household chores

and not having enough time to be socialized are adversely affecting

women' mental health.

Article

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Page 8

Article

Furthermore, in our society, unmarried women seem to be overwhelmed by

feelings of loneliness and deprivation owing to not having proper match or

either they are compelled to tie a knot with mismatch, a compromise for

whole life. All these factors make ground for emotional turmoil that is

reported to doctors in form of headache, tension, disturbed sleep,

tiredness, body aches, loss of appetite, etc.

At this stage, health professionals must counsel these patients and take

time to make prescription. In this way, patients will understand their

problems and will be able to find a rational solution instead of trying to

escape from reality. Moreover, collaboration of physical and mental health

problems can save people and prevent our nation from indulging in addiction

of tranquilizers/painkillers.

Ethical Responsibility of Health

Professionals

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Page 9

Role o

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Media in

Preve

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Abus

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roblems

Article

Role of electronic Media in Preventing

Drug Abuse Problems

By Haider Ali

Media always has a profound effect on masses. In current era, electronic

media is being used as a powerful tool to address social issues. Competition

among different channels made it easy for a common man to share his

problem with rest of the world. For this reason, numbers of cases, today,

are being reported that could not be brought on the surface due to fear,

feelings of shame and guilt.

Via talk shows, intellectual discussions and documentaries, electronic

media is successfully highlighting the issues regarding education, health,

crimes, corruption etc. Along this, there is need to put reflection on the

most dangerous issue (drug addiction) which has affected our educational

and health sector too. Despite involvement of law and enforcement

agencies and strict policies, no reduction in demand of illicit use of drugs

is seen.

As a result, more than 6 million people have become addicted to different

kinds of drugs in Pakistan. Electronic media can play a vital role in

educating people regarding drug abuse problems and its consequences by

showing documentaries of drug addicts and their destroyed lives,

discussions of experts and establishing youth forum

Furthermore, media must also stop showing those ads and movies which

promoting use of tranquilizers/painkillers, smoking, alcoholism and use of

betel nut (supari). Celebrities (filmi heroes) using cigarette inclined many

youngsters to be smokers. An actor playing leading role in Pakistani drama

Dastaan was looking a smart young man while smoking. Similarly, another

actor in an Indian film Tere Naam has been a centre of attention of many

youngsters due to his stylish and unique smoking behavior.

In short, electronic media, positively or negatively, affect our decision

making abilities. Positive characters, messages, advertisement result in

positive and healthy attitude. Portraying characters merely for making

money and fame ruin thousands of lives. We all should pray Almighty to

prevent us from ruining other lives.

Page 10

Leading a dead life

When I was 22 years old, I got engaged with an educated

boy belonging to a respectable family. I was very happy

but after few months after, my relationship was broken

and my fiancé got married to another girl. That

heartbreak resulted in depression. I consulted doctor and

overcame my depression. I tried to come back to my life

again. After one year, I got married to someone else.

Initially I was very happy with him. After one month, my

husband went to Germany where he got 2nd marriage

and divorced me . I became psycho patient and my

family got me admitted me in

a hospital where doctor gave me tranquilizer . I used

to feel relaxed and since then I am injecting my own

self. Now, I am injecting more than 15 injections

daily. Due to my addiction , no one wants to talk

to me at home . I am leading a dead life.

Leading A Dead Life

Lead

ing A D

ead

Life

True Story

Page 11

From

Sob

riety

to Succe

ss

From Sobriety to Success

I was employed in government sector and was satisfied

with my job. Due to work hard, I

was promoted. One day I reached my office , I

saw my senior drinking alcohol , he offered me . I

took two packs and I felt energetic. I started drinking

daily. One day, I drank too much, due to which I fell

down on garbage while coming back home. I got conscious

after four hours and was upset. That was the turning point

of life. I thought that I am a government officer and

have a respect in society. Then, I decided to stop

drinking. Now, five years has been passed. My sobriety

brought a positive change in my life. I have quit other bad

habits and am living an honest life.

True Story

From Sobriety to Success

Page 12

Family Story

With the grace of God we are three brothers and

two sisters . We were very happy family. But one day, my

neighbor informed my mother that my younger brother is

an alcoholic. My mother got angry at neighbor and hid this

reality from my father. After few month, my father came

to know about his alcoholic behavior when he came back

home while drinking. My father tried to stop him but he

did not follow.

Due to his alcoholic behavior, he was fired from his job

but he did not disclose it to parents. Next day, when he

went out, my younger brother chased him. He reported us

that he injected himself while sitting on railway

track. That was very shocking for my father. He used to

steal jewelry and expensive things from home to buy

drugs. Even, people of our locality used to complain about

him. We got him admitted in hospital but no recovery.

Now he has started stealing in my neighboring area.

Every day someone come to my door with complaint of his

stolen items.

One day he tried to murder my wife . although we

are hapless from him but we still want to came back

towards life

True Story

Family Story

Family

Story