A Publication Of Drug Free Nation

www.sada.drugfreenation.org

SADA

Volume 6 July 2011

Al Quran

True Stories

Article

Golden Words

A Voice Against Drug Addiction

Riffat Sadiq PhD (Fellow) Editor-in-Chief Safia Rafiq M Phil

Associate Editor

Contents Page Al Quran 1

What Is Heroin? 2

Can Ramadan Beat Bad Habits? 6

Dangers of Smoking 8

Hopelessness brings further destruction 10

Addiction kills desire to live 11

From Sobriety to Success 12

Golden Words 13

1

What Is Heroin? Heroin is an illicit opiate drug, derived from morphine. It is sold as a white or

brown powder, or as a black/brown tarry substance It is a very potent analgesic substance that works very fast and produces a powerful

euphoria and sense of well being. It is very addictive - the regular use for only a week or so can result in a physical dependence

How Is Heroin Administered?

Heroin users administer the drug in one of three ways, by: Snorting in intranasaly ,Smoking it and Injecting it into a vein, or less commonly, into a muscle

How Does Heroin Affect the Brain?

Heroin is an opiate drug, able to directly stimulate the opiate receptors in the brain.

When a person takes heroin, the drug passes through the blood brain barrier and suffuses the brain with opiates. These opiates activate neurotransmitter receptors in

areas of the brain responsible for regulating pleasure and pain. Once heroin activates the brain's opiate receptors, a person feels significant analgesia, as well as

euphoria and contentment.

Regular use of heroin over time leads to physical changes in the brain. With chronic use, heroin causes a reduction in the numbers of opiate receptors in the brain. Once these receptors are reduced in number, a person needs a greater

amount of heroin to feel the same high (tolerance) and the person will feel symptoms of withdrawal when not using heroin (physical dependence).

The brain adapts easily and quickly to heroin use, becoming physically dependent

on the powerful substance after only a short t ime of regular use. This easy development of physical dependence is one primary reason why heroin is so

addictive and so tough to quit.

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What Are the Characteristics of a Heroin High?

There is no denying that using heroin makes a person feel very good. It produces an intense high, that depending on the route of administration, can induce a minute

or two long rush that users describe as almost "orgasmic' in nature. Other characteristics of a heroin high include:

o A powerful sense of well being, free from worry o A sleepy drowsy sedation o Nodding, an awake but dreamlike state

o A feeling of warmth o Slowed breathing

o A heroin high lasts for up to 5 hours.

What Are the Short Term Health Consequences of Heroin Use?

Heroin can cause feelings of nausea and induce vomiting when taken by inexperienced users or when taken in large doses. Other medical consequences of

acute heroin use can include:

o Mental confusion and slurred speech o Analgesia

o Decreased respiration and heart rate o Sweating

o Itchiness o Constricted pupils

o A reduced cough reflux

The most significant acute consequence of heroin use is overdose, which can easily be fatal. Symptoms of heroin overdose include:

o Very shallow breathing or no respiration o Convulsions o Coma

o Cold and clammy feeling skin o Extremely constricted pupils (pinpoint)

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A heroin overdose is easily countered with a dosage of naloxone, a heroin antidote.

Unfortunately, many people who overdose die before health care workers can administer an injection of the life-saving drug.

What Are the Long Term Heath Consequences of Heroin Use? The chronic use of heroin can lead to devastating health consequences. Although

heroin in itself is not a particularly toxic substance, the means of administration, the lifestyle associated with heroin use and the impurities present in street level

heroin all combine to put chronic heroin users at great risk of a number of medical conditions and the risk of an early death. Health consequences of chronic heroin use can include:

o HIV or hepatitis B or C infection - Injecting heroin (or even sharing straws) transfers blood born infectious disease between users. IV drug users face an

extremely high risk of hepatitis C and a high risk of HIV. o Cognitive impairments - long term heroin use seems to cause reduced

cognitive functioning

o Skin infections - unsanitary injection practices can lead to skin abscesses and even gangrene

o Track marks - injection scars o Botulism - users of black-tar heroin are at an elevated risk of very toxic

botulism spores o Bacterial infections - resulting from poor injection practices; these can lead

to cardiac infections that increase the risk of heart failure o Collapsed veins - frequent injections can lead to vein scarring or collapsed

veins o Malnutrition - heroin suppresses appetite and chronic users are sometimes

more likely to spend money on drugs, than food o Organ damage - resulting from a reduction in blood flow as a consequence

of vein damage

o Pneumonia - The heroin lifestyle reduces the overall health of the addict, increasing susceptibility to pneumonia and even tuberculosis

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Put simply, people using heroin are far more likely to die an early death than

people not using heroin.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Heroin?

Heroin addiction perpetuates itself in part due to the intense withdrawal symptoms that occur with abstinence. Also known as "dope sickness", heroin withdrawal

symptoms begin within about a half day after last use, peak after 2 or 3 days and continue for between 4 days and a week with severity.

Symptoms of heroin withdrawal can include: Nausea , Vomiting , Headache , Muscle aches and pains , Yawning , Diarrhea , Runny sinuses , Depression , Anxiety , Restlessness , Sweating , Restless legs or "kicking" , Stomach cramps

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant, yet unlike alcohol withdrawal symptoms, they are rarely dangerous.

Fortunately, medications exist that can greatly diminish the intensity, or even eliminate, withdrawal symptoms.

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Can Ramadan Beat Bad Habits?

By Saffia Meek

Can habits be changed simply by abstaining from food?

Do you have any bad habits that you wish you could change but just don't have the stimulus or will power to do it?

Ramadan can be part of the solution to your problem by providing the motivation, the self-control, and the opportunity for you to implement better habits. Imagine, if

fasting can teach us to control our cravings for things that are good for us (food and water), then it certainly can train us to stop doing things that are destructive to our health and lives.

Our Daily Addictions

According to Dr. Mohammad Zafar A. Nomani, professor of nutrition at West

Virginia University, US, fasting tends to cause a burning or heavy feeling in the stomach and sour mouth for some people because of the increase in gastric acids in

the stomach. Consume a light meal and take a break from the doughnuts and coffee and eat

foods high in protein, fiber, and nutrients. Whole-wheat bread, vegetables, humus, beans, and fruits are all good sources of fiber, which help in reducing gastric

acidity and excess bile acids. Smokers benefit from fasting, being forced to abstain during the day. According to Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, smoking one pack of cigarettes a day

for one year adds two cups of tar to a smoker's lungs. However, the body is able to eliminate the tar if you stop smoking. By the end of a month of not smoking, the

senses of smell and taste return, shortness of breath subsides, and energy increases. According to a study done by the American Psychosomatic Society, caffeine and

nicotine use increase the occurrence of irritability during fasting, but by the end of Ramadan, the smokers' irritability had dropped to a level lower than before the

month of fasting began.

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Even our choices at the grocery store are impacted by our increased Allah-

consciousness. With the enhanced awareness of food during Ramadan, we are motivated to eat more fruit and drink more water than in our usual diet. More dates

are eaten during Ramadan than any other time of year. By the end of the day, you have managed to abstain from not-very healthy things

like snacks foods, cigarettes, caffeine, sugar. You will probably realize than that you cannot only survive without them, but actually feel better without them.

Once you have detoxified your system from the caffeine, sugar, and nicotine withdrawals, the headaches disappear and you are left with more energy than when

you were drinking coffee all morning. Breaking Out of Isolation

Ramadan gives Muslims a great opportunity to escape this cycle of isolation and depression. It is not unusual for people to get in a daily rut isolating themselves from those

outside of their everyday routine. We get in the habit of going from home to work and back home for dinner each night with our families. Even weekends are so full

of family-oriented chores and activities that we tend to put off praying at the mosque or visiting friends, which could end up leading to depression.

It seems that the TV and the computer get more of our attention each day than our faith does. According to the Sourcebook for Teaching Science, the average

American home watches TV for 6 hours and 47 minutes each day. This time does not include the time spent on the computer.

The Sourcebook goes on to say that millions of Americans are so hooked on television that they fit the criteria for substance abuse as defined in the official

psychiatric manual, according to Rutgers University psychologist Robert Kubey. Ramadan gives Muslims a great opportunity to escape this cycle of isolation and depression. Ramadan traditions promote spending time together with family and

friends, getting to know one another better, and meeting other Muslims that we

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Dangers of Smoking

It is a universally accepted and indisputable fact that smoking has many serious health and life hazards, for example, lung cancer, etc. to the smoker as well as

those (non-smokers) in his (smokers) environment, therefore, not permissible. Shari'ah has explained in great length the importance and virtue of good health to

the extent that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) even advised to maintain a balance in eating and drinking as an imbalance could be harmful to health. He

advised having dates, being hot in nature with cucumber, as it (cucumber) has a cooling effect. (Shamaail). On one occasion, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi

Wasallam) even stopped Hadhrat Ali (Radhiallaahu Anhu) from eating dates upon recovering from his illness and advised him to have vegetables instead.Although dates is not only nutritious but also a means of obtaining blessing, but in certain

conditions, since it could be harmful, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) advised against it. From that, one can gauge the extent of abstaining from

cigarettes which contain many harmful ingredients, for example, carbon monoxide, nicotine, tar and benzene vapour.Therefore, smoking is harmful to the smoker as

well as those around him. Consider the following: Muhammad Abdul Ghaffaar al-Afghan in his book, 'Ninety nine harms of smoking' has said that smoking results

in many sicknesses which doctors have explained and they all amount to ninety nine.Doctor Salahuddeen Abdur-Rabbi Nabiy, a neuro surgeon in Cairo says,

'When a person becomes enslaved to the habit of smoking, it has a very harmful effect on the smoker's health, especially to his heart. As a result his heart beat and

blood circulation becomes unstable and he experiences drowsiness from time to time due to the shrinkin of his brain arteries.Sometimes during old age, he suffers from high blood pressure and angina. Similarly, his digestive and respiratory

systems are harmed and the smoker loses his appetite. He is also afflicted by a cough which is known as the smoker's cough. When his nervous system is affected

the smoker feels a prickly sensation, a numbness in his limbs and also a pain in the nerves.'In the annual conference of the American Doctors Council which took

place in Chicago in 1966, the main topic discussed was the harms of smoking. Doctors, who were aware of the role that smoking played in lung cancer, became

alarmed when they heard that the least harm smoking causes is that at arouses anxiety. Doctor Edward Kweller Hammond, head of statistics in the Cancer

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Association of America said, "Verily lung cancer which is caused by smoking cigarettes is not so serious in comparison to the injury caused by smoking with

other means." It is stated in the ninth edition of "World of Knowledge" magazine that the time has come wherein it has become necessary to expose all the harms of

smoking. It should also be realised that these dispecable substances even cause death.It is also necessary to elucidate the harms of smoking in the hope of saving

many intelligent and educated youth, who will be astonished on how much has been written regarding this topic. It is also stated in the above-mentioned magazine

under the following heading, "Cancer Caused by Smoking":This fatal illness is the culmination of many illnesses which are the result of thin blood and other

sicknesses which are related to the blood vessels. All these are connected to this loathsome substances. However, lung cancer is the most likely outcome of

smoking.Lung cancer was a very rare disease but the end of this century witnessed a high rise in its occurance, primarily in men and thereafter in women. In the beginning of the sixties, the death rate due to lung cancer increased compared to

before. Smoking also yields other health hazards besides its general and specific economic harms.PROOF FOR THE PROHIBITION OF SMOKINGSmoking did

not exist in the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?ayhi Wasallam), but our magnificent Deen has laid down general principles from which many laws are

derived. From these principles, the Ulama (Allah's mercy be upon them) have come to the conclusion that smoking is Haraam.An Aayaat of the Noble Qur'aan

states, 'And do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands.' (Baqarah 195). Smoking causes fatal sicknesses, for example, lung cancer, tuberculosis,

etc.In another Aayat, Allah Ta'ala says, 'And do not kill yourselves'. (Nisaa 29). Nabi Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam said, 'Whomsoever drinks poison, thereby

killing himself, will sip this poison forever and ever in the fire of Jahannum.'Cigarettes consist of many poisonous substances and furthermore, the smoker indulges in a slow suicidal act by smoking this poison.and Allah Ta'ala

Knows BestMufti Ebrahim Desai Source: www.islamcan.com/youth/dangers-of-smoking-1.shtml

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HOPELESSNESS BRINGS

FURTHER DESTRUCTION

My family was considered a respectable

family of my town. I also have been a good student

and got through the matriculation exams with good

marks. After that, I had a lot of spare time therefore,

I started sitting with boys of my town. I used to

enjoy in that company. One of those boys was using

alcohol but we all ignored him.

He used to bring alcohol on special occasion. Once,

on Eid day, he brought alcohol and offered all of us.

We all drank and felt good. We used to take alcohol

on every weekend. My family tried to help me but

myself never tried to be recovered. Now, I feel that I

have wasted half of my life and am not hopeful

regarding my future anymore.

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ADDICTION KILLS DESIRE TO LIVE

I got married at early age and Almighty blessed me with six sons.

Despite belonging to lower class family, we were living happily. I

wanted my children to be educated. Unfortunately, drug was easily

available in my locality. My elder son also became addict. I arranged

his marriage and thought that after marriage he would be recovered but

he did not stop taking drugs. After some time, my two other sons also

became addicted.

My other sons started living separately due to their addiction. They do

not want to live with addicts. I am, at the age of 65, is working to bear

household expenses. My daughter in-law and grandchildren are

dependent on me. Life totally seems to me a burden.

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From Sobriety to Success

In our teenage, me and my cousin heard about a medicine that was used to feel

more energetic. One day, we both went to a drug store and purchased that medicine. We used that and found similar result as we had heard. Next day, we

purchased more tablets and became habituated of that. Later on, we started heroin and could not get rid of it.

My cousin died of addiction. My family wanted to get treatment for me but I did not agree. One day, engagement ceremony of younger sister was going to be held

and my mother asked me to go any where while giving me money. I spent that night in graveyard. I felt worthless at that time. My family and friends had

forgotten me. Then, I decided to change my self. I requested my family to get me admitted in the

hospital. By the grace of Almighty, I recovered and for last 10 years I am leading a sober life bring back me towards my life. I asked to my family to admitted me

in hospital . People started respecting me again and my family does not take any decision without consulting me. I thanks Almighty very much and say that

addiction makes a person worthless and only sobriety makes him valuable.

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Golden Words

Mugged

Behold this ceramic; made personally,

...Designed not for liquor, just for coffee or tea. A pottery project, a study in clay,

...To be "in one's cups" in a whole different way. To some folks, I guess, this is a great recreation

...For me, I confess, it's no match for libation. Hands shaking, room quaking, I can't seem to stop it,

...It's all I can do not to fumble and drop it. With help from the nurses because I'm unsteady,

...We mold and we paint and by then we are ready To fire this fine piece, this great work of art

...By this child that's grown old, this drunken old fart. I'm not really sure just how things got this bad,

...I partied and drank some, but not like dear DAD.

Worked hard for my family, our kids, and her cat, ...But never felt worthy, I now realize that.

Yet turning to whiskey to get some relief ...Became the main source of my trouble and grief.

My life fell to pieces before I found out ...The impact of drinking is felt roundabout.

An earthware cup that set hard on its base ...May chip but won't break thus retaining its grace.

But crystal decanters, twinkling good cheer, ...Can shatter at noises that no one can hear.

The glass that I lived in was thin but opaque ...Shakespeare says "Devils assume pleasing shape".

Disguised as a savior, this bottled solution ...Dissolved all my guts with internal pollution. Now friends discouraged, the family may leave,

...No rescue forthcoming, no well-timed reprieve.

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Reluctant and frightened, I'm forced into treatment, ...I'd take a long walk if I knew where my feet went.

In spite of myself, I admit that this cup, ...Reminds me again that I just can't give up.

The urge to create has returned after years. ...To mold a life that's formed free of fears.

I'll face the hot flame of painful mistakes, Paint bright the future, in spite of the shakes.

Build sturdy the walls of this transforming crucible, ...Less glaze and more depth will, like me, be more usable.

They talk some of God here, it still makes me flinch, ...But it's spiritual thirst that I know I must quench.

It's here on the inside, the place I must go

...Reforming takes place where it rarely does show. All that is needed for me in the end,

...Is simple surrender and will to begin, To empty my vessel of grief and yearning,

...Become a container for growth and learning. What comes in a cup?

...Much more than you think, Especially for those who have lived on the brink

...Of drowning in sorrow from too much to drink. Here's raising my mug for a toast without malice

...Communion for life with my little clay chalice.

Note: This poem has been written by Mark, C. Retrieved on July 07 from http://www.drug-addiction-support.org/Drug-Addiction-Poems.html

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