Brief Origin of Drug Abuse

Studies
have revealed that different people have different reason for taking drugs. It
could be personal, socio-cultural or environmental factors. Many writers who
have written on this topic (drug abuse).

Udoh (1987) outline a number of factors
that can lead the individual to the abuse drugs and drugs addition.

1. Curiosity
and desire to experiment

2. Peer
pressure

3. for
relaxation

4. To
remove boredom

5. To
having heavy sex

Udoh (1987) went further to say that
persons who are in the habit of abusing drugs may show one or more of the following
symptoms.

1. Disinterest
on the opposite sex.

2. Staying alone most of the time without
interacting with the group to which he or she belongs.

3. Looking for money by all means of which
its purpose may not be explained.

4. A tendency to laugh too much at many things
that no one think is funny.

5. Loss of appetite perhaps with a rapid loss
of weight.

Udoh (1987) also stated the following specific
signs that can be obvious in a typical drug abuser.

1. Redness and watering of eyes: – this
can be seen among people who sniff glue.

2. Running nose: – this can manifest in
people who indulge in taking morphine and cocaine.

3. Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate
to hide dictated pupils.

4. Constant inking of lips to keep cracked
lips wet, this is common to people who abuse amphetamines.

Drug abuse is a result of
experimentation, thrill seeking an anticipation associated with drug pusher, seeking
escape from pain, fatigue, anxiety and frustration.

The reason of drug abuse are: –

1. Experimentation

2. Lack
of motivation

3. Rebellion

4. Deviant
sub-culture

Achigbe (1991) in his contribution to
the reason why people abuse drugs highlighted the following.

1. To
stay awake while reading for examination by student

2. To
slim down fat people who use the drugs as appetite suppressant.

3. To increase public performance like sport
stage performance and public entertainment.

4. Frustration
to forget their worries and problems.

5. Bad companies (friends) can influence
or introduce some people into the use of hard drugs.

References