Fallen angels
M. Khalid Rahman discusses the problems of street children, which afflicts a sizable portion of our urban youngsters
He is a street child. As I accost him, young Karamat gives me a curious look. “Ask!” he speaks out in a tone that reflects his Lyari background. He says his father had, many years ago, murdered his mother, suspecting that she was having an extra-marital affair.
He was sent to jail and the child was given shelter by a woman, who, like many other women in the locality, earned her living by dealing in drugs. When she died, Karamat took to living on the streets with a band of homeless children like him. He is the stereotypical street child.
Street children are the casualties of economic woes, war, poverty, loss of traditional values, domestic violence and physical and psychological abuse. Karamat soon came to know that he could make a living not only by begging but also by mediating between the drug suppliers and the addicts. One day, as he was passing heroin on to an addict, a burly man grabbed him by the neck and gave him a thrashing. He was scared stiff when the man told him that he was from the Anti-Narcotics Force. The man took him to a deserted place and sodomised him.
Since he, like the other street kids, was not totally unfamiliar with sex, Karamat had no choice but to become a sex worker for him. This man also ran a drug racket as a side-business, and asked the kid to act as his agent. Street children seldom have a choice in becoming a straw in the wind—and going to school is always out of question. For kicks, these young souls turn to narcotics or to sniffing rubber solvent.
Like boys, girls too, are kept under the ‘protection’ of their ‘families’—who are usually gypsies living on the streets, or mafias protected by the police. Many street children gather money by begging or selling flowers, washing cars or via prostitution, receiving only a small cut from the money that gets collected. The city police, especially the traffic police cops, also share their earnings.
Then there are the Afghan kids, who pick plastic, glass, metal and other knick-knack from the garbage thrown out on the streets, and sell them to the shopkeepers. They roam the streets all day and then go back to their dera, where they eat and sleep.
Dr Farah Iqbal, a professor of psychology at the University of Karachi, collaborates closely with the Azad Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to working for street children. She explains, “Once a child leaves the family home—for whatever reason—to live on the street, he is labelled as a street child.”
According to the UN report there are 100-140 million street children worldwide, which is more than the entire population of France and Britain combined. Due to a growing food insecurity in the developing world, it is estimated that by the year 2020, the number of street children, worldwide, may reach 800 million.
These children normally undertake occupations like collecting and selling waste paper, plastic and scrap metal, amongst others. Other occupations sought by them include cleaning cars, working as shoe-shiners or in small hotels, selling water, newspapers or other items. Street children can also be seen begging for money and food in front of shopping malls, traffic signals, restaurants and hotels, shrines and other crowded areas.
They usually form groups to secure themselves from exploitation and abuse, which is common. The group leaders, usually the eldest or the strongest male member, dominates the group. He is considered ‘the boss’ and reserves the ‘right’ to physically, psychologically and sexually abuse group members to dominate and exert authority over them. Such leaders also arrange and manage not only their basic needs of food and shelter, but even their secondary needs, like interpersonal relationships and activityrecreation, indulgence in games, substance abuse or even involvement in sexual .
Dehumanisation is the most dangerous threat posed to street children in that it absolves people, especially the authorities, of the obligation to accord them their rights. Several institutions and organisations have conducted research on the street children of Pakistan, like the Azad Foundation, the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), Pavhna, Konpal, the Institute of Behavioural Sciences, the UNODCCP (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Control Prevention), etc. A law has recently been passed by the parliament, and is awaiting the president’s signature to alleviate the children’s suffering.
While problems relating to street children in Pakistan have multiplied over the past two decades, it appears unlikely that measures taken by our legislators will succeed—especially in view of the unwillingness of our law enforcers and corruption in their ranks.
Reference : http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/17/fallen-angels.html
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Drug use in Colleges & Universities Rapidly Growing
Drug use in Colleges & Universities Rapidly Growing
One out of every 10 students is a drug addictIslamabad, June 26: Drug abuse is rapidly growing in Pakistan, especially amongst youth in colleges and universities, resulting in serious social and health implications. Almost five per cent (five million) of adult population in the country is using drugs and its use is growing at an annual rate of seven per cent, while according to estimates, one out of every 10 college/university students in Pakistan is a drug addict.
According to a National Assessment study on Drug Abuse in Pakistan, there are estimated 500,000 heroin users and 125,000 injecting drug users in the country and the number of latter has doubled since 2000, which is alarming. Over 40,000 street children are involved in solvent substance abuse in merely four major cities of the country namely Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the study reveals.
"Over the last 20 years, the increasing number of drug addicts has brought a bad name to the country and today, Pakistan is highly notorious for the phenomenon," said Head of Community Medicine at Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Islamabad Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry, in connection with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking that is observed on June 26 each year around the globe.
The United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) leads the international awareness raising campaign of the major problems that illicit drugs represent to society and especially to young people. "The theme of this year, the same as of 2007 and 2008, 'Do Drugs Control Your Life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs' communicates that the destructive effects of illicit drugs concern us all," said Dr Ashraf. According to UNODC, nearly 200 million people worldwide are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics.
The world of drug addicts is also getting bigger in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to an estimate, the peddling of narcotics is going on at more than 80 points in Rawalpindi city without any check. At these points, hashish, charas, opium, heroin and morphine is being sold by both male and female agents. "Most of the male agents are kiosk owners, vendors, vegetable sellers, beggars, automobile mechanics and shopkeepers, but they actually sell narcotics to their clients," said Dr Ashraf.
The main drug-peddling points are located in areas of Raja Bazaar, Banni, Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad and Chaklala Scheme III. Cannabis (hashish) is the cheapest of all narcotics and easily available in the twin cities at the rate of Rs20,000 per kilogram while heroin - a highly addictive substance - is available for Rs100 per dose.
"Drug addicts are mostly found busy in their activities in extremely unhygienic areas, especially near nullahs and shrines, bus stops and railway stations," said Dr Ashraf adding that covered in ragged clothes with untrimmed hair and bearded faces, drug users spend days under the sky without having any meal.
To a query, Dr Ashraf said often the narcotic substance is linked to factors such as risk taking behaviours that might involve experimenting with narcotics, smoking and alcohol, social isolation, the need to cope with unfamiliar and stressful situations, peer pressure (bad company), unemployment, excessive pocket money by parents and lack of supervision, the desire for social acceptance, boredom, curiosity, just to feel good, weak religious beliefs and a lot of free time at their disposal.
"While some of the physical effects of drugs may sound nice, they do not last long. Many people get depressed and start feeling sick shortly after being on drugs, while the physical and sexual health of addicts weaken so rapidly that a young man in his 30s looks like an old man of over 60 when on drugs," he added.
Drug abuse causes not only the economic breakdown of a family but also the loss of self-confidence and will on part of the addict along with the loss of job, indulgence in crimes such as theft, and suicidal thoughts. Drug addicts are also more prone to accidents and are at higher risk of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C and tuberculosis. Married drug addicts have a high probability of having mentally retarded and physically handicapped children, said Dr Ashraf.
Talking about the preventive measures of drug use, he said parents could recognise addiction in their children by noting some of the symptoms including deep body emaciation, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, strong nervous disturbance, prolonged home absences, much money demand, lying to get money, remaining isolated, long sleep periods, laziness, pale face, tremors in fingers, constipation, irregularities in work and studies, and marks and traces of abuse on the body. "Parents after witnessing even a few of the above symptoms in their child should immediately get him/her examined," advised Dr Ashraf.
An addict is a sick person and needs humanistic treatment that comprises three stages - assessment, detoxification and rehabilitation. The most difficult part of the treatment is rehabilitation in which there is a need to motivate a patient to take up any healthy activity preferably away from old places and old company. "No one should be stigmatised because of his dependence on drugs," he said.
For the prevention and control of drug abuse, he urged running campaigns through mass media, essay contests, lectures and declamation contests in schools, colleges and universities in order to create awareness about the ill effects of drug addiction. The evidence points to a pressing need of taking drug abuse very seriously, and parents and teachers along with government and public health agencies should be alert to the rising epidemic of drug abuse among the Pakistani youth.
Dr Ashraf said efforts should be made to control tobacco smoking in the country, as it is the gateway to drug abuse. "Parents should be vigilant and keep an eye on the company/activities of their children. They should keep their children busy and motivate them to say their prayers regularly. He added that the government should solve the unemployment problem in the country, as economic worries provide a fertile ground to an individual for drug addiction.
"Free quitlines (telephone helpline offering treatment for addiction and behaviour change) for counselling services should be made available," he said and added that the government should increase the number of treatment and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts. Moreover, services provided for drug dependence in different sectors (government, NGOs, and private) need to be assessed for their quality, effectiveness and efficiency in providing a continuum of care and meeting the clients' diverse needs, he said.
The message must be promoted that drugs are slow poison in all forms and death follows drug addicts, concluded Dr Ashraf
One out of every 10 students is a drug addictIslamabad, June 26: Drug abuse is rapidly growing in Pakistan, especially amongst youth in colleges and universities, resulting in serious social and health implications. Almost five per cent (five million) of adult population in the country is using drugs and its use is growing at an annual rate of seven per cent, while according to estimates, one out of every 10 college/university students in Pakistan is a drug addict.
According to a National Assessment study on Drug Abuse in Pakistan, there are estimated 500,000 heroin users and 125,000 injecting drug users in the country and the number of latter has doubled since 2000, which is alarming. Over 40,000 street children are involved in solvent substance abuse in merely four major cities of the country namely Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the study reveals.
"Over the last 20 years, the increasing number of drug addicts has brought a bad name to the country and today, Pakistan is highly notorious for the phenomenon," said Head of Community Medicine at Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Islamabad Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry, in connection with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking that is observed on June 26 each year around the globe.
The United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) leads the international awareness raising campaign of the major problems that illicit drugs represent to society and especially to young people. "The theme of this year, the same as of 2007 and 2008, 'Do Drugs Control Your Life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs' communicates that the destructive effects of illicit drugs concern us all," said Dr Ashraf. According to UNODC, nearly 200 million people worldwide are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics.
The world of drug addicts is also getting bigger in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to an estimate, the peddling of narcotics is going on at more than 80 points in Rawalpindi city without any check. At these points, hashish, charas, opium, heroin and morphine is being sold by both male and female agents. "Most of the male agents are kiosk owners, vendors, vegetable sellers, beggars, automobile mechanics and shopkeepers, but they actually sell narcotics to their clients," said Dr Ashraf.
The main drug-peddling points are located in areas of Raja Bazaar, Banni, Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad and Chaklala Scheme III. Cannabis (hashish) is the cheapest of all narcotics and easily available in the twin cities at the rate of Rs20,000 per kilogram while heroin - a highly addictive substance - is available for Rs100 per dose.
"Drug addicts are mostly found busy in their activities in extremely unhygienic areas, especially near nullahs and shrines, bus stops and railway stations," said Dr Ashraf adding that covered in ragged clothes with untrimmed hair and bearded faces, drug users spend days under the sky without having any meal.
To a query, Dr Ashraf said often the narcotic substance is linked to factors such as risk taking behaviours that might involve experimenting with narcotics, smoking and alcohol, social isolation, the need to cope with unfamiliar and stressful situations, peer pressure (bad company), unemployment, excessive pocket money by parents and lack of supervision, the desire for social acceptance, boredom, curiosity, just to feel good, weak religious beliefs and a lot of free time at their disposal.
"While some of the physical effects of drugs may sound nice, they do not last long. Many people get depressed and start feeling sick shortly after being on drugs, while the physical and sexual health of addicts weaken so rapidly that a young man in his 30s looks like an old man of over 60 when on drugs," he added.
Drug abuse causes not only the economic breakdown of a family but also the loss of self-confidence and will on part of the addict along with the loss of job, indulgence in crimes such as theft, and suicidal thoughts. Drug addicts are also more prone to accidents and are at higher risk of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C and tuberculosis. Married drug addicts have a high probability of having mentally retarded and physically handicapped children, said Dr Ashraf.
Talking about the preventive measures of drug use, he said parents could recognise addiction in their children by noting some of the symptoms including deep body emaciation, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, strong nervous disturbance, prolonged home absences, much money demand, lying to get money, remaining isolated, long sleep periods, laziness, pale face, tremors in fingers, constipation, irregularities in work and studies, and marks and traces of abuse on the body. "Parents after witnessing even a few of the above symptoms in their child should immediately get him/her examined," advised Dr Ashraf.
An addict is a sick person and needs humanistic treatment that comprises three stages - assessment, detoxification and rehabilitation. The most difficult part of the treatment is rehabilitation in which there is a need to motivate a patient to take up any healthy activity preferably away from old places and old company. "No one should be stigmatised because of his dependence on drugs," he said.
For the prevention and control of drug abuse, he urged running campaigns through mass media, essay contests, lectures and declamation contests in schools, colleges and universities in order to create awareness about the ill effects of drug addiction. The evidence points to a pressing need of taking drug abuse very seriously, and parents and teachers along with government and public health agencies should be alert to the rising epidemic of drug abuse among the Pakistani youth.
Dr Ashraf said efforts should be made to control tobacco smoking in the country, as it is the gateway to drug abuse. "Parents should be vigilant and keep an eye on the company/activities of their children. They should keep their children busy and motivate them to say their prayers regularly. He added that the government should solve the unemployment problem in the country, as economic worries provide a fertile ground to an individual for drug addiction.
"Free quitlines (telephone helpline offering treatment for addiction and behaviour change) for counselling services should be made available," he said and added that the government should increase the number of treatment and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts. Moreover, services provided for drug dependence in different sectors (government, NGOs, and private) need to be assessed for their quality, effectiveness and efficiency in providing a continuum of care and meeting the clients' diverse needs, he said.
The message must be promoted that drugs are slow poison in all forms and death follows drug addicts, concluded Dr Ashraf
Abusing Prescription Drugs
Abusing Prescription Drugs
Nearly 7 million Americans are abusing prescription drugs*—more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy, and inhalants, combined. That 7 million was just 3.8 million in 2000, an 80 percent increase in just 6 years.
Prescription pain relievers are new drug users’ drug of choice, vs. marijuana or cocaine.
Opioid painkillers now cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.
Nearly 1 in 10 high school seniors admits to abusing powerful prescription painkillers. A shocking 40 percent of teens and an almost equal number of their parents think abusing prescription painkillers is safer than abusing "street" drugs.
Misuse of painkillers represents three-fourths of the overall problem of prescription drug abuse; hydrocodone is the most commonly diverted and abused controlled pharmaceutical in the U.S.
Twenty-five percent of drug-related emergency department visits are associated with abuse of prescription drugs.
Methods of acquiring prescription drugs for abuse include “doctor-shopping,” traditional drug-dealing, theft from pharmacies or homes, illicitly acquiring prescription drugs via the Internet, and from friends or relatives.
DEA works closely with the medical community to help them recognize drug abuse and signs of diversion and relies on their input and due diligence to combat diversion. Doctor involvement in illegal drug activity is rare—less than one tenth of one percent of more than 750,000 doctors are the subject of DEA investigations each year—but egregious drug violations by practitioners unfortunately do sometimes occur. DEA pursues criminal action against such practitioners.
DEA Internet drug trafficking initiatives over the past 3 years have identified and dismantled organizations based both in the U.S. and overseas, and arrested dozens of conspirators. As a result of major investigations such as Operations Web Tryp, PharmNet, Cyber Rx, Cyber Chase, and Click 4 Drugs, Bay Watch, and Lightning Strike, tens of millions of dosage units of prescription drugs and tens of millions of dollars in assets have been seized.
* Prescription drugs refers to abuseable pharmaceuticals controlled under federal law enforced by the DEA.
Useful Links:
DEA Testimony on Prescription Drug Abuse
ONDCP's Prescription Drug Abuse Fact Sheets
SAMHSA's Brochure on Prescription Drug Abuse
NIDA InfoFacts: Prescription Pain and Other Medications
Prescription Drug Monitoring Project
The Silent Epidemic - Kids and Pharmaceutical Abuse
MedLine Plus: Prescription Drug Abuse
National Drug Threat Assessment
Source:
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/prescription_drug_fact_sheet.html
Nearly 7 million Americans are abusing prescription drugs*—more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy, and inhalants, combined. That 7 million was just 3.8 million in 2000, an 80 percent increase in just 6 years.
Prescription pain relievers are new drug users’ drug of choice, vs. marijuana or cocaine.
Opioid painkillers now cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.
Nearly 1 in 10 high school seniors admits to abusing powerful prescription painkillers. A shocking 40 percent of teens and an almost equal number of their parents think abusing prescription painkillers is safer than abusing "street" drugs.
Misuse of painkillers represents three-fourths of the overall problem of prescription drug abuse; hydrocodone is the most commonly diverted and abused controlled pharmaceutical in the U.S.
Twenty-five percent of drug-related emergency department visits are associated with abuse of prescription drugs.
Methods of acquiring prescription drugs for abuse include “doctor-shopping,” traditional drug-dealing, theft from pharmacies or homes, illicitly acquiring prescription drugs via the Internet, and from friends or relatives.
DEA works closely with the medical community to help them recognize drug abuse and signs of diversion and relies on their input and due diligence to combat diversion. Doctor involvement in illegal drug activity is rare—less than one tenth of one percent of more than 750,000 doctors are the subject of DEA investigations each year—but egregious drug violations by practitioners unfortunately do sometimes occur. DEA pursues criminal action against such practitioners.
DEA Internet drug trafficking initiatives over the past 3 years have identified and dismantled organizations based both in the U.S. and overseas, and arrested dozens of conspirators. As a result of major investigations such as Operations Web Tryp, PharmNet, Cyber Rx, Cyber Chase, and Click 4 Drugs, Bay Watch, and Lightning Strike, tens of millions of dosage units of prescription drugs and tens of millions of dollars in assets have been seized.
* Prescription drugs refers to abuseable pharmaceuticals controlled under federal law enforced by the DEA.
Useful Links:
DEA Testimony on Prescription Drug Abuse
ONDCP's Prescription Drug Abuse Fact Sheets
SAMHSA's Brochure on Prescription Drug Abuse
NIDA InfoFacts: Prescription Pain and Other Medications
Prescription Drug Monitoring Project
The Silent Epidemic - Kids and Pharmaceutical Abuse
MedLine Plus: Prescription Drug Abuse
National Drug Threat Assessment
Source:
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/prescription_drug_fact_sheet.html
Drug Trafficking Continues to Plague Pakistan
Drug Trafficking Continues to Plague Pakistan
Saturday, 27 Jun, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains among the countries most affected by drug trafficking and has been ranked second in terms of heroin and morphine seizures in 2008.
These sorry facts came as the World Drug Day was observed on Friday to raise awareness about the major challenges which illicit drugs represent to society as a whole and especially to the young.
The world’s morphine seizures continued to be reported by Pakistan with 11 metric tons or 40 per cent of the total seizure globally, according to the World Drug Report 2009, launched in Islamabad on Thursday.
In terms of opium seizure, Pakistan was ranked second with 71 per cent of the total seizures.
In Pakistan, opium poppy continued to be cultivated in the area along the Afghan border at about the same relatively low level of about 2,000 hectares reported over the past five years. Pakistan saw the most opium poppy eradication in 2004 when 5,200 hectares of land was cleared.
In 2007, poppy crop on 614 hectares was eradicated. The new drug report carry no figure for the year 2008, mainly due to the ongoing war against Taliban militants and anti-state elements in parts of NWFP, the main poppy cultivating areas.
The United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, which released its annual World Drug Report, suggests in its estimates for 2008 that most of the opium exports from Afghanistan cross the border in Iran while nearly 40 per cent exports of morphine and heroin exports go to Pakistan.
Pakistan has reported an additional new route to Malaysia, both direct and via Dubai. Until recently, heroin in Malaysia originated exclusively from Myanmar. This new route shows that Afghan opiates may now reach other destinations since Malaysia has been mentioned among the key embarkation points for heroin shipments into Australia.
The report says the bulk of all opiates produced in Afghanistan are destined for consumption in the neighbouring Iran, Pakistan, Central Asian countries and, to a lesser extent, India. These markets – about five million users – are, in fact, larger than the opiate market in western and central Europe – about 1.4 million.
The opiate markets in Western Europe are, however, financially more lucrative. Therefore, opiates also leave Afghanistan via Iran and Pakistan along the Balkan route towards Western Europe.
Opiate use remains the most prominent illicit drug problem in this region. Population surveys suggested that 1.4 per cent used opiates in the past year in Afghanistan, and 2.8 per cent in Iran which has an estimated 0.7 to 1.6 million so-called ‘drug addicts’. Injecting drug use in Pakistan is reportedly increasing, with one study estimating 630,000 opiate users in Pakistan, equivalent to 0.7 per cent of those aged 15 to 64, around 77 per cent of whom were heroin users. At least half of the world’s amphetamines-group users – between 5.8-37.0 million – live in Asia.
Most of these are methamphetamine users in East and South-East Asia, which account for between 52 and 79 per cent of estimated users in the region.
Source: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/12drug+trafficking+continues+to+plague+pakistan--bi-03
Saturday, 27 Jun, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains among the countries most affected by drug trafficking and has been ranked second in terms of heroin and morphine seizures in 2008.
These sorry facts came as the World Drug Day was observed on Friday to raise awareness about the major challenges which illicit drugs represent to society as a whole and especially to the young.
The world’s morphine seizures continued to be reported by Pakistan with 11 metric tons or 40 per cent of the total seizure globally, according to the World Drug Report 2009, launched in Islamabad on Thursday.
In terms of opium seizure, Pakistan was ranked second with 71 per cent of the total seizures.
In Pakistan, opium poppy continued to be cultivated in the area along the Afghan border at about the same relatively low level of about 2,000 hectares reported over the past five years. Pakistan saw the most opium poppy eradication in 2004 when 5,200 hectares of land was cleared.
In 2007, poppy crop on 614 hectares was eradicated. The new drug report carry no figure for the year 2008, mainly due to the ongoing war against Taliban militants and anti-state elements in parts of NWFP, the main poppy cultivating areas.
The United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, which released its annual World Drug Report, suggests in its estimates for 2008 that most of the opium exports from Afghanistan cross the border in Iran while nearly 40 per cent exports of morphine and heroin exports go to Pakistan.
Pakistan has reported an additional new route to Malaysia, both direct and via Dubai. Until recently, heroin in Malaysia originated exclusively from Myanmar. This new route shows that Afghan opiates may now reach other destinations since Malaysia has been mentioned among the key embarkation points for heroin shipments into Australia.
The report says the bulk of all opiates produced in Afghanistan are destined for consumption in the neighbouring Iran, Pakistan, Central Asian countries and, to a lesser extent, India. These markets – about five million users – are, in fact, larger than the opiate market in western and central Europe – about 1.4 million.
The opiate markets in Western Europe are, however, financially more lucrative. Therefore, opiates also leave Afghanistan via Iran and Pakistan along the Balkan route towards Western Europe.
Opiate use remains the most prominent illicit drug problem in this region. Population surveys suggested that 1.4 per cent used opiates in the past year in Afghanistan, and 2.8 per cent in Iran which has an estimated 0.7 to 1.6 million so-called ‘drug addicts’. Injecting drug use in Pakistan is reportedly increasing, with one study estimating 630,000 opiate users in Pakistan, equivalent to 0.7 per cent of those aged 15 to 64, around 77 per cent of whom were heroin users. At least half of the world’s amphetamines-group users – between 5.8-37.0 million – live in Asia.
Most of these are methamphetamine users in East and South-East Asia, which account for between 52 and 79 per cent of estimated users in the region.
Source: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/12drug+trafficking+continues+to+plague+pakistan--bi-03
One out of every 10 students is a drug addict
One out of every 10 students is a drug addict
Friday, June 26, 2009Muhammad QasimIslamabadDrug abuse is rapidly growing in Pakistan, especially amongst youth in colleges and universities, resulting in serious social and health implications. Almost five per cent (five million) of adult population in the country is using drugs and its use is growing at an annual rate of seven per cent, while according to estimates, one out of every 10 college/university students in Pakistan is a drug addict. According to a National Assessment study on Drug Abuse in Pakistan, there are estimated 500,000 heroin users and 125,000 injecting drug users in the country and the number of latter has doubled since 2000, which is alarming. Over 40,000 street children are involved in solvent substance abuse in merely four major cities of the country namely Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the study reveals. “Over the last 20 years, the increasing number of drug addicts has brought a bad name to the country and today, Pakistan is highly notorious for the phenomenon,” said Head of Community Medicine at Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Islamabad Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry while talking to ‘The News’ in connection with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking that is observed on June 26 each year around the globe. The United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) leads the international awareness raising campaign of the major problems that illicit drugs represent to society and especially to young people. “The theme of this year, the same as of 2007 and 2008, ‘Do Drugs Control Your Life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs’ communicates that the destructive effects of illicit drugs concern us all,” said Dr Ashraf. According to UNODC, nearly 200 million people worldwide are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics. The world of drug addicts is also getting bigger in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to an estimate, the peddling of narcotics is going on at more than 80 points in Rawalpindi city without any check. At these points, hashish, charas, opium, heroin and morphine is being sold by both male and female agents. “Most of the male agents are kiosk owners, vendors, vegetable sellers, beggars, automobile mechanics and shopkeepers, but they actually sell narcotics to their clients,” said Dr Ashraf. The main drug-peddling points are located in areas of Raja Bazaar, Banni, Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad and Chaklala Scheme III. Cannabis (hashish) is the cheapest of all narcotics and easily available in the twin cities at the rate of Rs20,000 per kilogram while heroin - a highly addictive substance - is available for Rs100 per dose. “Drug addicts are mostly found busy in their activities in extremely unhygienic areas, especially near nullahs and shrines, bus stops and railway stations,” said Dr Ashraf adding that covered in ragged clothes with untrimmed hair and bearded faces, drug users spend days under the sky without having any meal. To a query, Dr Ashraf said often the narcotic substance is linked to factors such as risk taking behaviours that might involve experimenting with narcotics, smoking and alcohol, social isolation, the need to cope with unfamiliar and stressful situations, peer pressure (bad company), unemployment, excessive pocket money by parents and lack of supervision, the desire for social acceptance, boredom, curiosity, just to feel good, weak religious beliefs and a lot of free time at their disposal. “While some of the physical effects of drugs may sound nice, they do not last long. Many people get depressed and start feeling sick shortly after being on drugs, while the physical and sexual health of addicts weaken so rapidly that a young man in his 30s looks like an old man of over 60 when on drugs,” he added. Drug abuse causes not only the economic breakdown of a family but also the loss of self-confidence and will on part of the addict along with the loss of job, indulgence in crimes such as theft, and suicidal thoughts. Drug addicts are also more prone to accidents and are at higher risk of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C and tuberculosis. Married drug addicts have a high probability of having mentally retarded and physically handicapped children, said Dr Ashraf. Talking about the preventive measures of drug use, he said parents could recognise addiction in their children by noting some of the symptoms including deep body emaciation, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, strong nervous disturbance, prolonged home absences, much money demand, lying to get money, remaining isolated, long sleep periods, laziness, pale face, tremors in fingers, constipation, irregularities in work and studies, and marks and traces of abuse on the body. “Parents after witnessing even a few of the above symptoms in their child should immediately get him/her examined,” advised Dr Ashraf. An addict is a sick person and needs humanistic treatment that comprises three stages - assessment, detoxification and rehabilitation. The most difficult part of the treatment is rehabilitation in which there is a need to motivate a patient to take up any healthy activity preferably away from old places and old company. “No one should be stigmatised because of his dependence on drugs,” he said. For the prevention and control of drug abuse, he urged running campaigns through mass media, essay contests, lectures and declamation contests in schools, colleges and universities in order to create awareness about the ill effects of drug addiction. The evidence points to a pressing need of taking drug abuse very seriously, and parents and teachers along with government and public health agencies should be alert to the rising epidemic of drug abuse among the Pakistani youth. Dr Ashraf said efforts should be made to control tobacco smoking in the country, as it is the gateway to drug abuse. “Parents should be vigilant and keep an eye on the company/activities of their children. They should keep their children busy and motivate them to say their prayers regularly. He added that the government should solve the unemployment problem in the country, as economic worries provide a fertile ground to an individual for drug addiction. “Free quitlines (telephone helpline offering treatment for addiction and behaviour change) for counselling services should be made available,” he said and added that the government should increase the number of treatment and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts. Moreover, services provided for drug dependence in different sectors (government, NGOs, and private) need to be assessed for their quality, effectiveness and efficiency in providing a continuum of care and meeting the clients’ diverse needs, he said. The message must be promoted that drugs are slow poison in all forms and death follows drug addicts, concluded Dr Ashraf.
Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=184979
Friday, June 26, 2009Muhammad QasimIslamabadDrug abuse is rapidly growing in Pakistan, especially amongst youth in colleges and universities, resulting in serious social and health implications. Almost five per cent (five million) of adult population in the country is using drugs and its use is growing at an annual rate of seven per cent, while according to estimates, one out of every 10 college/university students in Pakistan is a drug addict. According to a National Assessment study on Drug Abuse in Pakistan, there are estimated 500,000 heroin users and 125,000 injecting drug users in the country and the number of latter has doubled since 2000, which is alarming. Over 40,000 street children are involved in solvent substance abuse in merely four major cities of the country namely Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the study reveals. “Over the last 20 years, the increasing number of drug addicts has brought a bad name to the country and today, Pakistan is highly notorious for the phenomenon,” said Head of Community Medicine at Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Islamabad Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry while talking to ‘The News’ in connection with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking that is observed on June 26 each year around the globe. The United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) leads the international awareness raising campaign of the major problems that illicit drugs represent to society and especially to young people. “The theme of this year, the same as of 2007 and 2008, ‘Do Drugs Control Your Life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs’ communicates that the destructive effects of illicit drugs concern us all,” said Dr Ashraf. According to UNODC, nearly 200 million people worldwide are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics. The world of drug addicts is also getting bigger in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to an estimate, the peddling of narcotics is going on at more than 80 points in Rawalpindi city without any check. At these points, hashish, charas, opium, heroin and morphine is being sold by both male and female agents. “Most of the male agents are kiosk owners, vendors, vegetable sellers, beggars, automobile mechanics and shopkeepers, but they actually sell narcotics to their clients,” said Dr Ashraf. The main drug-peddling points are located in areas of Raja Bazaar, Banni, Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad and Chaklala Scheme III. Cannabis (hashish) is the cheapest of all narcotics and easily available in the twin cities at the rate of Rs20,000 per kilogram while heroin - a highly addictive substance - is available for Rs100 per dose. “Drug addicts are mostly found busy in their activities in extremely unhygienic areas, especially near nullahs and shrines, bus stops and railway stations,” said Dr Ashraf adding that covered in ragged clothes with untrimmed hair and bearded faces, drug users spend days under the sky without having any meal. To a query, Dr Ashraf said often the narcotic substance is linked to factors such as risk taking behaviours that might involve experimenting with narcotics, smoking and alcohol, social isolation, the need to cope with unfamiliar and stressful situations, peer pressure (bad company), unemployment, excessive pocket money by parents and lack of supervision, the desire for social acceptance, boredom, curiosity, just to feel good, weak religious beliefs and a lot of free time at their disposal. “While some of the physical effects of drugs may sound nice, they do not last long. Many people get depressed and start feeling sick shortly after being on drugs, while the physical and sexual health of addicts weaken so rapidly that a young man in his 30s looks like an old man of over 60 when on drugs,” he added. Drug abuse causes not only the economic breakdown of a family but also the loss of self-confidence and will on part of the addict along with the loss of job, indulgence in crimes such as theft, and suicidal thoughts. Drug addicts are also more prone to accidents and are at higher risk of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C and tuberculosis. Married drug addicts have a high probability of having mentally retarded and physically handicapped children, said Dr Ashraf. Talking about the preventive measures of drug use, he said parents could recognise addiction in their children by noting some of the symptoms including deep body emaciation, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing and fatigue, strong nervous disturbance, prolonged home absences, much money demand, lying to get money, remaining isolated, long sleep periods, laziness, pale face, tremors in fingers, constipation, irregularities in work and studies, and marks and traces of abuse on the body. “Parents after witnessing even a few of the above symptoms in their child should immediately get him/her examined,” advised Dr Ashraf. An addict is a sick person and needs humanistic treatment that comprises three stages - assessment, detoxification and rehabilitation. The most difficult part of the treatment is rehabilitation in which there is a need to motivate a patient to take up any healthy activity preferably away from old places and old company. “No one should be stigmatised because of his dependence on drugs,” he said. For the prevention and control of drug abuse, he urged running campaigns through mass media, essay contests, lectures and declamation contests in schools, colleges and universities in order to create awareness about the ill effects of drug addiction. The evidence points to a pressing need of taking drug abuse very seriously, and parents and teachers along with government and public health agencies should be alert to the rising epidemic of drug abuse among the Pakistani youth. Dr Ashraf said efforts should be made to control tobacco smoking in the country, as it is the gateway to drug abuse. “Parents should be vigilant and keep an eye on the company/activities of their children. They should keep their children busy and motivate them to say their prayers regularly. He added that the government should solve the unemployment problem in the country, as economic worries provide a fertile ground to an individual for drug addiction. “Free quitlines (telephone helpline offering treatment for addiction and behaviour change) for counselling services should be made available,” he said and added that the government should increase the number of treatment and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts. Moreover, services provided for drug dependence in different sectors (government, NGOs, and private) need to be assessed for their quality, effectiveness and efficiency in providing a continuum of care and meeting the clients’ diverse needs, he said. The message must be promoted that drugs are slow poison in all forms and death follows drug addicts, concluded Dr Ashraf.
Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=184979
DRUG ABUSE: ALARMING INCREASE
DRUG ABUSE: ALARMING INCREASE
There has been a sharp increase in use of tranquilizers as a deadly substitute for narcotics
By Syed M. Aslam Aug 05 - 11, 2002
Abuse of prescription drugs among rich segment of the society has reached an alarming proportion in Pakistan due primarily to failure of the federal and provincial Health Ministries to enforce the relevant laws. According to informed market sources, who made the information available to the PAGE about the menace on condition of strict anonymity, there has been a sharp increase in use of tranquilizers as a deadly substitute for narcotics among the people in the upper levels of society.
In last five years the abuse of drug marketed by a number of pharmaceutical companies in the country under different brand names has increased drastically to such an extent that the supply now far exceeds its genuine demand. The drug, whose formula or generic name is Buprenorphine HCI, is used in the manufacture of injections is strictly a prescribed drug is tranquilizer and pain killer. However, it has find itself in increasingly demand by the youths, both boys and girls, belonging to richer segment of the society to be injected into the bodies as a narcotics.
Market sources informed PAGE that though the drug is also produced locally by a number of multinational and local pharmaceutical companies under various brand names, the brand imported by a single company Reckit & Benckiser (former Reckit and Colman) has emerged as the brand leader. "The company is allowed to import 400,000 boxes of Temgenic Injections annually though the demand for the same in the country does not exceed the 5 per cent of the quantity.
"As each box contains 5 ampoules of 1 ml injection each, the company is importing 2 million injections of Temgenic every year though the demand for the same in the country is only around 100,000. The fact that the drug is being greatly abused is evident from the fact that though the retail price of a box of 5 injections is Rs 212.96 it is selling in the market for around Rs 500. The main buyers of the drug are the youths — mainly boys but also many girls."
While the multinational mentioned above is the only pharmaceutical company allowed to import the drug into the country many other multinational and local companies are also marketing the same formula under different names and they too are allowed to manufacture a quantity though only up to as low as half of that allowed to be imported by Reckit & Benckiser. The availability of the drug from all sources, thus, far exceeds its genuine demand in the country to pose a serious drug abuse problem among the younger generation.
Sources told PAGE that the formula is "also manufactured locally by Local company Sami as Buepron Injection, by PCW as Bueprogenic Injection, by another local company as Temfin Injection, by another local company as Gesnor Injection, by MNCs Organon as Orgesic Injection, by Pharmatec as Zonor Injection, etc. All of these brands are selling at a premium way over the retail prices. For instance, Zonor injection, produced locally by MNC Pharmatec is available in the market for around Rs 380.00 per 5 ampoules of 1 ml each way over its retail price of Rs 166.52."
Sources claimed that only about 5 per cent of the entire supply of the drug is used for genuine purposes while 20 per cent is being abused and the remaining 75 per cent is smuggled to neighbouring Afghanistan and Iran from where it sneaks into a number of European countries where there is an absolute ban on this drug. Thus the over supply of drug is not only resulting in increased abuse here in Pakistan but is also feeding it in Iran and Afghanistan and way beyond into Europe itself.
Needless to say, the over-supply highlights the fact that unscrupulous elements all along the shady path has find it fit to mint tonnes of money from a drug which is encouraging abuse among the youths far beyond the national borders. The over-supply in a country where over-the-counter drug culture has only increased over the years is posing a grave risk to the health, and ultimate lives, of hundreds of thousands of youth who have the means to afford to get hooked to the synthetic narcotics that suits their social status.
It is surprising to note that the habit-forming drug is easily available at the medical stores across the city in total disregard to the provincial law enacted in 1994 by the Sindh Assembly to keep track of all such drugs categorized as narcotics. The law made it binding for the manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers to maintain records about the drugs at all levels of the supply chain so as to ensure that it is sold only through prescription.
There has also been drastic increase in the abuse of other lesser priced tranquilizers (use narcotics) over the years, particularly among the middle class segment of the society. The formula Penthazocin is being manufactured by a number of companies locally and is available in the market only at a premium. For instance, Sosegon Injection, and also Tablets, marketed by pharmaceutical giant ICI is available in the market for around Rs 130.00 per 5 ampoules of 1ml each way above its retail price of Rs 105. Similarly, a 5-injection pack of Pentazegon made by local Indus Pharma is selling for Rs 80 compared to retail price of Rs 42.00 and Pentonil Injection marketed by local Tabbros company is available for Rs 75.00 instead of retail price of Rs 42.00.
The question is: Is this massive abuse of drugs is not visible to the Ministry of Health? Or is it the question of playing with the public health for the benefit of a small, but influential, group of unscrupulous elements in and around the industry.
Source: http://www.pakistaneconomist.com/issue2002/issue31/f&m.htm
Prayer
Prayer
Circle me, Lord
.Keep protection near
And danger afar.
Circle me, Lord
Keep hope within.
Keep doubt without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near
And darkness afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within.K
eep evil out.
By David Adam
Circle me, Lord
.Keep protection near
And danger afar.
Circle me, Lord
Keep hope within.
Keep doubt without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near
And darkness afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within.K
eep evil out.
By David Adam
Always Livinn Anti-Drug
Always Livinn Anti-Drug
Anti-drug is the way to be dont
get caught up in smokin weed or doin
crack because its all a BIG WASTE
You hurt yourself in the longrun
you might think its cool but
always stay above the influence
So imagine this do you want to
end up on life support
and see that tunnel as it
takes you down further
and further and see that
light that once oyu reach
it your gone....gone for ever in the physical
realm just because you took that first sniff
or that first puff
So im living drug free some might mock
and ridicule me
but it wouldnt even phase me
because i am taking control of my life
and i am NOT letting a couple shots take me
drunk..... because then i have no control
and that is totally against my ways
and my ways stay unlike your life when
you do drugs
So dont let your light burn out
let it shine so it says im
drug free and thats the way ill always be
Anti-drug is the way to be dont
get caught up in smokin weed or doin
crack because its all a BIG WASTE
You hurt yourself in the longrun
you might think its cool but
always stay above the influence
So imagine this do you want to
end up on life support
and see that tunnel as it
takes you down further
and further and see that
light that once oyu reach
it your gone....gone for ever in the physical
realm just because you took that first sniff
or that first puff
So im living drug free some might mock
and ridicule me
but it wouldnt even phase me
because i am taking control of my life
and i am NOT letting a couple shots take me
drunk..... because then i have no control
and that is totally against my ways
and my ways stay unlike your life when
you do drugs
So dont let your light burn out
let it shine so it says im
drug free and thats the way ill always be
Dangers of Smoking 2
Dangers of Smoking 2
Smoking is one of the things which has caused a lot of problems and harm these days and it has spread like wild fire. Before we discuss this topic in detail, we should know that Allaah the Almighty has divided things in the world into two types, good or permissible (al-tayyibaat, al-halaal) and evil or prohibited (al-khabaa'ith, al-haraam), and there is no third type. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning) in surat al-A'raaf (7:157):"And He makes good things halaal for them and bad things haraam."Considering this fact, smoking can either be permissible and good or prohibited and evil.Thus, we present some of its characteristics and let the person asking the question see himself in which type lies smoking.1. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for health. It is one of the major causes of lung cancer and other diseases. It is also one of the major causes of death. Since, it is known that the Islamic law prohibits everything that is harmful for a human being. Allah said (interpretation of meaning):"Do not kill yourself. Allah is Merciful unto you." (Surat al-Nisaa' 4:29)In addition, His Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) said:"There is no harm or causing of harm (in Islaam)." (Arabic "laa darar wa laa diraar")He SAWS (peace be upon him) also said:"A person will not be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about ... his body as to what he engaged it in."Smoking also goes against the saying of the Prophet SAWS:"Your body has a right on you."2. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for the health of others who inhale the polluted breath of the smoker. Medical research has proven the harmful effects of smoking mothers on their children.3. The offensive smell caused by smoking is a source of pain to the worshippers of Allah among humans and angels. The angels are offended and suffer from the same things that the human beings suffer from. Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):"Those who cause harm to believing men and women without any reason do a great sin." (Surat al-Ahzaab, 33:58)4. The money that is spent on cigarettes is used on buying a harmful thing and is therefore an extravagance. Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):"? and do not be extravagant wasters. Those who are extravagant are kinsmen of Satan." (Surat al-Israa' 17:26-27)Extravagance (in Islam) means spending on something haraam.Spending money on cigarettes is a waste of resources as well. The Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) said:"A person will not be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about ..... what he owned as to how he spent it."Considering all that has been presented, it can be clearly seen that smoking is an evil among many others. It is not permissible to indulge in it, or buy and sell it, or even to offer it to others. It is incumbent on a person who is addicted to it that he must make all efforts and get whatever necessary treatment to stop it. If the unbelievers have understood the harm caused by smoking and made laws regarding it, the Muslims should be even more eager to stop it and treat those who are addicted to it.We ask Allah the Almighty to cure everyone indulging in this evil and help him in giving it up. Allah is the Best Guide to the Right Path.
http://www.islamcan.com/youth/dangers-of-smoking-2.shtml
Smoking is one of the things which has caused a lot of problems and harm these days and it has spread like wild fire. Before we discuss this topic in detail, we should know that Allaah the Almighty has divided things in the world into two types, good or permissible (al-tayyibaat, al-halaal) and evil or prohibited (al-khabaa'ith, al-haraam), and there is no third type. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning) in surat al-A'raaf (7:157):"And He makes good things halaal for them and bad things haraam."Considering this fact, smoking can either be permissible and good or prohibited and evil.Thus, we present some of its characteristics and let the person asking the question see himself in which type lies smoking.1. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for health. It is one of the major causes of lung cancer and other diseases. It is also one of the major causes of death. Since, it is known that the Islamic law prohibits everything that is harmful for a human being. Allah said (interpretation of meaning):"Do not kill yourself. Allah is Merciful unto you." (Surat al-Nisaa' 4:29)In addition, His Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) said:"There is no harm or causing of harm (in Islaam)." (Arabic "laa darar wa laa diraar")He SAWS (peace be upon him) also said:"A person will not be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about ... his body as to what he engaged it in."Smoking also goes against the saying of the Prophet SAWS:"Your body has a right on you."2. There is no disagreement among the physicians and sane people that smoking is harmful for the health of others who inhale the polluted breath of the smoker. Medical research has proven the harmful effects of smoking mothers on their children.3. The offensive smell caused by smoking is a source of pain to the worshippers of Allah among humans and angels. The angels are offended and suffer from the same things that the human beings suffer from. Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):"Those who cause harm to believing men and women without any reason do a great sin." (Surat al-Ahzaab, 33:58)4. The money that is spent on cigarettes is used on buying a harmful thing and is therefore an extravagance. Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):"? and do not be extravagant wasters. Those who are extravagant are kinsmen of Satan." (Surat al-Israa' 17:26-27)Extravagance (in Islam) means spending on something haraam.Spending money on cigarettes is a waste of resources as well. The Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) said:"A person will not be able to move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about ..... what he owned as to how he spent it."Considering all that has been presented, it can be clearly seen that smoking is an evil among many others. It is not permissible to indulge in it, or buy and sell it, or even to offer it to others. It is incumbent on a person who is addicted to it that he must make all efforts and get whatever necessary treatment to stop it. If the unbelievers have understood the harm caused by smoking and made laws regarding it, the Muslims should be even more eager to stop it and treat those who are addicted to it.We ask Allah the Almighty to cure everyone indulging in this evil and help him in giving it up. Allah is the Best Guide to the Right Path.
http://www.islamcan.com/youth/dangers-of-smoking-2.shtml
Street Kids plagued by Glue Sniffing
Street Kids plagued by Glue Sniffing
KARACHI: It’s a chilly night in a run-down part of Karachi and several boys squat in a dirty alley, getting high on glue. Breathing in fumes from glue-soaked rags and glue-filled plastic bags is a daily ritual for these boys who live rough on the streets of Pakistan’s biggest city. “The fumes burn the eyes and leave the body dry. It kills your appetite. But after being kicked and treated like a dog it gives you peace,” said one of the boys, Mohammad Naeem. Cheap at Rs 50 a tin and easier to get than illegal drugs, “Samad Bond” glue – the sniffers’ favourite brand – is flooding the streets of Karachi. The Pakistan Medical Association says substance abuse among street children has reached alarming levels. “If more is not done soon, Pakistan is heading for a street children hooked on glue crisis on the scale of other countries like Morocco and Brazil,” said Qaiser Sajjad, the association’s general secretary. There are about 14,000 street children in Karachi and most are sniffing glue, said Aksa Zainab, a social worker who helps street kids at a drop-in centre operated by the Azad Foundation in cooperation with UNICEF. “According to our research, 90 percent of these children are involved in glue sniffing or in some other solvent abuse,” Zainab added. The problem is getting worse as more and more poor parents with large families are unable to make ends meet and their children end up in the streets of cities and towns. Severe urban poverty, a rising cost of living and few job opportunities for the poor are causing the growing street children problem in Karachi, explained economist Asad Saeed. “There is also no law on the compulsory education of children. It’s a free-for-all society,” Saeed said. Akram, one of the boys sniffing glue in the alley, explains how he ended up homeless. The 15-year-old, dressed in a ragged blue shirt and dirty jeans, said he ran away from his stepfather who beat him with iron rods and scorched him with cigarettes. The boys make money cleaning cars and scavenging for scraps in rubbish. “I wash cars, collect paper and metal from garbage dumps. I even beg for alms but I’m committing no crime,” said Mohammad Khalil, one of few who prefers to sleep on the streets with his friends because of family fights at home. Abdul Karim, a scruffy-haired boy with bucked teeth, is among a small group of street children who have kicked the glue habit. Small and cocky, Karim attended a detoxification and rehabilitation programme at the Azad Foundation drop-in centre, which is housed in five small rooms in a narrow lane of a downtown residential area. Karim is a regular visitor to the centre where children get clean clothes, food, medical aid, counselling and even schooling. “I used to sniff glue until three months back. I used to feel dizzy and sleep all day. Now I feel better and am also trying to stop smoking cigarettes,” said Karim. One room at the centre has a television set, a major attraction for the kids, another has games and a third has been turned into a classroom with colourful charts and a chalkboard. “The numbers are increasing as they tell their friends of what benefits they get here,” said social worker Zainab. reuters
KARACHI: It’s a chilly night in a run-down part of Karachi and several boys squat in a dirty alley, getting high on glue. Breathing in fumes from glue-soaked rags and glue-filled plastic bags is a daily ritual for these boys who live rough on the streets of Pakistan’s biggest city. “The fumes burn the eyes and leave the body dry. It kills your appetite. But after being kicked and treated like a dog it gives you peace,” said one of the boys, Mohammad Naeem. Cheap at Rs 50 a tin and easier to get than illegal drugs, “Samad Bond” glue – the sniffers’ favourite brand – is flooding the streets of Karachi. The Pakistan Medical Association says substance abuse among street children has reached alarming levels. “If more is not done soon, Pakistan is heading for a street children hooked on glue crisis on the scale of other countries like Morocco and Brazil,” said Qaiser Sajjad, the association’s general secretary. There are about 14,000 street children in Karachi and most are sniffing glue, said Aksa Zainab, a social worker who helps street kids at a drop-in centre operated by the Azad Foundation in cooperation with UNICEF. “According to our research, 90 percent of these children are involved in glue sniffing or in some other solvent abuse,” Zainab added. The problem is getting worse as more and more poor parents with large families are unable to make ends meet and their children end up in the streets of cities and towns. Severe urban poverty, a rising cost of living and few job opportunities for the poor are causing the growing street children problem in Karachi, explained economist Asad Saeed. “There is also no law on the compulsory education of children. It’s a free-for-all society,” Saeed said. Akram, one of the boys sniffing glue in the alley, explains how he ended up homeless. The 15-year-old, dressed in a ragged blue shirt and dirty jeans, said he ran away from his stepfather who beat him with iron rods and scorched him with cigarettes. The boys make money cleaning cars and scavenging for scraps in rubbish. “I wash cars, collect paper and metal from garbage dumps. I even beg for alms but I’m committing no crime,” said Mohammad Khalil, one of few who prefers to sleep on the streets with his friends because of family fights at home. Abdul Karim, a scruffy-haired boy with bucked teeth, is among a small group of street children who have kicked the glue habit. Small and cocky, Karim attended a detoxification and rehabilitation programme at the Azad Foundation drop-in centre, which is housed in five small rooms in a narrow lane of a downtown residential area. Karim is a regular visitor to the centre where children get clean clothes, food, medical aid, counselling and even schooling. “I used to sniff glue until three months back. I used to feel dizzy and sleep all day. Now I feel better and am also trying to stop smoking cigarettes,” said Karim. One room at the centre has a television set, a major attraction for the kids, another has games and a third has been turned into a classroom with colourful charts and a chalkboard. “The numbers are increasing as they tell their friends of what benefits they get here,” said social worker Zainab. reuters
Drug Addicts will Rise to 6.48m This Year
Drug Addicts will Rise to 6.48m This Year
* Over 60 percent of addicts belong to the educated class, says Dr KausarStaff ReportLAHORE: The number of drug addicts in Pakistan will exceed 6.48 million in 2005 according to a 1993 national survey on drug abuse, said Dr Wasim Kausar, a deputy inspector general for the National Highway and Motorway Police, while delivering a lecture on ‘Drug dependence in students’. The lecture was arranged by British Council Lahore in collaboration with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) on Wednesday. The British Council’s branches in South Asia have also planned a public awareness and research campaign to combat the increasing number of addicts. Dr Kausar’s lecture was part of the council’s initial campaign. The campaign has been initiated under the council’s ‘Beyond Borders’ project and aims to create public awareness about the causes of drug abuse. With reference to Pakistan, the project aims to create awareness about the country’s rehabilitation facilities and problems in the rehabilitation process. The project will highlight that drug abuse is prevalent in the entire society, not just the poor, unemployed or illiterate. In Pakistan the British Council is collaborating with LUMS and Punjab University. Shazia Khawar, the Youth Projects manager for British Council Pakistan, told Daily Times that the project was a comprehensive strategy to be gradually inducted in society. She said that the council had also planned public awareness festivals, adding that the first festival would be held in Dhaka (Bangladesh) in mid-February and in Pakistan in March. She mentioned that a series of lectures and community researches with the help of university students were also in the plans. Earlier, Dr Kausar, who has done a PhD on the subject from the UK, said that as per the survey there were 3.01 million chronic drug-abusers in Pakistan, increasing by 7 percent a year. He said that the addicts numbered 3.5 million by 1995, 4.8 million by 2000 and the projected number of addicts in 2005 was 6.48 million. “Almost 3.20 million addicts are addicted Heroin,” said Dr Kausar adding, “Drug-abuse in Pakistan was not a serious issue until the emergence of Heroin in the 1980’s.” According to him, people were also addicted to Cannabis, Opium and Alcohol but their numbers had not increased as dramatically as those addicted to Heroin. “Unfortunately, 60 percent of the addicts belong to the educated class and most of them are university students”, he pointed out. He lamented that no serious study was undertaken, even after the 1993 survey. He added, “A few fragmented studies have revealed that one out of every ten university student is a drug addict and over 50 percent of them are in a high risk drug abuse environment”.He said that Pakistan was ranked number in the world for drugs usage by the Interpol’s drug subdivision ‘Trends in Worldwide Drug Trafficking in 1990s’. He added that Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Iran were on first four positions.
* Over 60 percent of addicts belong to the educated class, says Dr KausarStaff ReportLAHORE: The number of drug addicts in Pakistan will exceed 6.48 million in 2005 according to a 1993 national survey on drug abuse, said Dr Wasim Kausar, a deputy inspector general for the National Highway and Motorway Police, while delivering a lecture on ‘Drug dependence in students’. The lecture was arranged by British Council Lahore in collaboration with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) on Wednesday. The British Council’s branches in South Asia have also planned a public awareness and research campaign to combat the increasing number of addicts. Dr Kausar’s lecture was part of the council’s initial campaign. The campaign has been initiated under the council’s ‘Beyond Borders’ project and aims to create public awareness about the causes of drug abuse. With reference to Pakistan, the project aims to create awareness about the country’s rehabilitation facilities and problems in the rehabilitation process. The project will highlight that drug abuse is prevalent in the entire society, not just the poor, unemployed or illiterate. In Pakistan the British Council is collaborating with LUMS and Punjab University. Shazia Khawar, the Youth Projects manager for British Council Pakistan, told Daily Times that the project was a comprehensive strategy to be gradually inducted in society. She said that the council had also planned public awareness festivals, adding that the first festival would be held in Dhaka (Bangladesh) in mid-February and in Pakistan in March. She mentioned that a series of lectures and community researches with the help of university students were also in the plans. Earlier, Dr Kausar, who has done a PhD on the subject from the UK, said that as per the survey there were 3.01 million chronic drug-abusers in Pakistan, increasing by 7 percent a year. He said that the addicts numbered 3.5 million by 1995, 4.8 million by 2000 and the projected number of addicts in 2005 was 6.48 million. “Almost 3.20 million addicts are addicted Heroin,” said Dr Kausar adding, “Drug-abuse in Pakistan was not a serious issue until the emergence of Heroin in the 1980’s.” According to him, people were also addicted to Cannabis, Opium and Alcohol but their numbers had not increased as dramatically as those addicted to Heroin. “Unfortunately, 60 percent of the addicts belong to the educated class and most of them are university students”, he pointed out. He lamented that no serious study was undertaken, even after the 1993 survey. He added, “A few fragmented studies have revealed that one out of every ten university student is a drug addict and over 50 percent of them are in a high risk drug abuse environment”.He said that Pakistan was ranked number in the world for drugs usage by the Interpol’s drug subdivision ‘Trends in Worldwide Drug Trafficking in 1990s’. He added that Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Iran were on first four positions.
Dangers of Smoking 1
Dangers of Smoking
Dangers of Smoking 1
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 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: http://www.islamcan.com/youth/dangers-of-smoking-1.shtml
Dangers of Smoking 1
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 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: http://www.islamcan.com/youth/dangers-of-smoking-1.shtml
Dearest cocaine
Dearest cocaine
Come on
poor me out
,and sniff me well...
I'll just kill you
You love me, and need me
I give you all the pleasure you need,
and I get you so high.
Come on sniff me
you know you want me,
Your words,
dearest cocaine,
are always in my head,
You crave me
you want me
Come onpoor me out
and sniff me well.
I'm just a time bomb
waiting to explode,
i can damage your brain
but you don't care,
you are addicted to me.
Let me a teach you a lesson
and make you sick.
Make you so sick and ill
that you end up dying
I'm a time bomb
waiting to kill you,
so sniff me well
for I'll kill you soon...
Come on
poor me out
,and sniff me well...
I'll just kill you
You love me, and need me
I give you all the pleasure you need,
and I get you so high.
Come on sniff me
you know you want me,
Your words,
dearest cocaine,
are always in my head,
You crave me
you want me
Come onpoor me out
and sniff me well.
I'm just a time bomb
waiting to explode,
i can damage your brain
but you don't care,
you are addicted to me.
Let me a teach you a lesson
and make you sick.
Make you so sick and ill
that you end up dying
I'm a time bomb
waiting to kill you,
so sniff me well
for I'll kill you soon...
Drug addiction
Drug addiction
Approximately 5 million drug addicts in Pakistan are not only destroying their lives but also affecting every sector of society, including the business sector causing accidents, reducing or loss of productivity, poor work and absenteeism as well as other serious adverse effects, says a report prepared by Pakistan Drug Free Foundation. Drug addiction affects all parts of society as the rapidly increasing number of drug addicts in the country in the business sector as the ratio of the drug users in labor class and lower middle class increases day by due to one or other reasons.Approximately an addict spends Rs150 per day on drugs. There are 5 million drug addicts in the country, so 500,000 addicts spend Rs750 million in just one day, in a month 22,500 million and in a year Rs270 billion. These are the direct expenses on drugs. There is no data available on the losses borne by our economy due to absenteeism, wastage of time, low productivity and accidents of drug abuser in workplaces.One of the consequences of drug abuse in the workplace is that the economy of Pakistan pays a big price for it - employee accident and errors, high illness rates, wastage of time, low productivity and absenteeism are just a few examples of the affects of illicit drug use.A survey conducted by the United States’ health and human service indicates that drug abuser functions at approximately 65 per cent of their capacity.Up to 40 per cent of industrial fatalities and 47 per cent of industrial injuries can be linked to drug abuse. Employees who abuse drugs are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. An estimated 500 million work days are lost annually due alcohol and drug abuse in America.• Employees who abuse drugs are more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times more likely to be late for work.• Illicit drug users are more than twice as likely than those who do not abuse drugs.• Employees who abuse drugs cost their employers about twice as much in medical claims.• According to the United States National Institute of Drug Addiction, almost 10 per cent of all employees use drugs.According to the data mentioned above, the problem of drug abuse at workplaces is more in the developed countries of the world. This problem also exists in Pakistan but no authentic data is available about the financial losses incurred due to drug abuse at workplaces.At this point, some questions are raised for the authorities who are responsible for such a financial disaster.There is a strong need to launch a grand operation to eliminate the silent killer by government and the business community.HAIDER MEHERPlanning & development manager
Link :http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/15/letted.htm#12
Posted by Drug Free Nation at 12:43 AM
Approximately 5 million drug addicts in Pakistan are not only destroying their lives but also affecting every sector of society, including the business sector causing accidents, reducing or loss of productivity, poor work and absenteeism as well as other serious adverse effects, says a report prepared by Pakistan Drug Free Foundation. Drug addiction affects all parts of society as the rapidly increasing number of drug addicts in the country in the business sector as the ratio of the drug users in labor class and lower middle class increases day by due to one or other reasons.Approximately an addict spends Rs150 per day on drugs. There are 5 million drug addicts in the country, so 500,000 addicts spend Rs750 million in just one day, in a month 22,500 million and in a year Rs270 billion. These are the direct expenses on drugs. There is no data available on the losses borne by our economy due to absenteeism, wastage of time, low productivity and accidents of drug abuser in workplaces.One of the consequences of drug abuse in the workplace is that the economy of Pakistan pays a big price for it - employee accident and errors, high illness rates, wastage of time, low productivity and absenteeism are just a few examples of the affects of illicit drug use.A survey conducted by the United States’ health and human service indicates that drug abuser functions at approximately 65 per cent of their capacity.Up to 40 per cent of industrial fatalities and 47 per cent of industrial injuries can be linked to drug abuse. Employees who abuse drugs are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim. An estimated 500 million work days are lost annually due alcohol and drug abuse in America.• Employees who abuse drugs are more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times more likely to be late for work.• Illicit drug users are more than twice as likely than those who do not abuse drugs.• Employees who abuse drugs cost their employers about twice as much in medical claims.• According to the United States National Institute of Drug Addiction, almost 10 per cent of all employees use drugs.According to the data mentioned above, the problem of drug abuse at workplaces is more in the developed countries of the world. This problem also exists in Pakistan but no authentic data is available about the financial losses incurred due to drug abuse at workplaces.At this point, some questions are raised for the authorities who are responsible for such a financial disaster.There is a strong need to launch a grand operation to eliminate the silent killer by government and the business community.HAIDER MEHERPlanning & development manager
Link :http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/15/letted.htm#12
Posted by Drug Free Nation at 12:43 AM
Advice to Teenagers Considering Taking Drugs
Advice to Teenagers Considering Taking Drugs
By Sidi Naeem AbdulWali.
Praise to Allah the Exalted and the choicest peace and blessings be upon His Messenger!Indeed these times try us all, the pious and sinful, the young and the old. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) praised the youth who spent his youth worshipping his Lord as is narrated from Abu Huraira with an agreed upon chain of narrators:"Seven groups shall be in the shade of Allah on a Day when there will be no other shade: A just ruler, a youth who grew up in the worship of his Lord, a man whose heart was attached to the mosque, two men who for the sake of Allah's love met and separated, a man called to by a woman of beauty and position to commit adultery, a man whose right hands' giving in charity is not noticed by his left hand and a man who remembers Allah in solitude till his eyes water."None of us are immune to contemporary challenges even those of the widespread use of intoxicants and narcotic drugs whose illicit nature in the eyes of the Sacred Law is not in doubt.Ibn Hajar in his al-Zawajr 'an iqtiraf al-Khabair has discussed the impermissible nature of such drugs as hashish, opium, henbane, etc., substances which are not ritually impure (najs).He cites the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) as saying:"Every intoxicant is prohibited." [Bukhari & Muslim]And his (Allah bless him & give him peace) saying,"That which intoxicates in large quantities is prohibited in small quantities." [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and others, with a sound chain of narrators]So here there is no need to doubt the illicit nature of such modern narcotics like cocaine, heroine, etc. or such soft drugs that are available in the club scenes, places, unfortunately, visited frequently by Muslim youth in the West.What I would like to draw our attention to though is how we value ourselves. Perhaps when we as Muslims, even sinful Muslims, realize the value that Allah the Exalted has given us, perhaps it will be then that we will value our individual selves: physically and ultimately spiritually.Allah the Exalted states:"We have created man in the best of forms, then We have lowered him to the lowest of the low, except for the one who acquires sound faith and does wholesomeness." [Qur'an, 95: 4-6]Here Allah indicates our unique createdness both physically and spiritually, for the form of man is the composite of his total self, not just the physical frame.Further Allah the Exalted confers upon certain of the Children of Adam higher status with His statement: "The one whom Allah wants to guide He opens his heart to submission." [Qur'an, 6:125]Also He the Exalted states:"Is the one whose heart Allah has opened to submission so that he is upon a light form his Lord (the same as those He describes as) Woe to those whose hearts have hardened to the remembrance of Allah. They are in a manifest effort." [Qur'an, 39:22]The 'remembrance of Allah' not simply being what we commonly bring to mind as dhikr but ...but the some of the Qu'ranic revelation , its commands and prohibitions.Allah the Exalted says:"O you who believe do not follow in Satan's footsteps whoever follows Satan's footsteps should know that he only commands to evil and corruption. Had it not been of the grace of Allah to you and His mercy not one of you would have been purified but Allah purifies whom He wills, and Allah is the seeing, knowing." [Qur'an, 24:21]Here He warns us as believers to be on guard against our sworn enemy and from his deceptions which lead to evil and corruptions: physically and spiritually, individually and communally.He the Exalted wishes to purify us while Satan desires the opposite. All this is because of the great concern and care that Allah the Exalted has shown and shows to us. In this concern and care let us rejoice and seek Him, let us console and encourage one another in this divine largesse.It has been this faqir's experience while working with youth that our and their self worth is often never considered.Rarely do our elders, whether scholars, teachers or even our parents stress our true value in the sight of the Quranic revelation and the domain of the Prophetic examplar. We must address our youth compassionately, and passionately convey to them their true self value while acknowledging our own.These are some of the words I wished to share concerning this topic, may they prove beneficial and of practical use. My errors are my own, and the right is only by His grace and guidance.
Source: http://www.islamcan.com/youth/advice-to-teenagers-considering-taking-drugs.shtml
By Sidi Naeem AbdulWali.
Praise to Allah the Exalted and the choicest peace and blessings be upon His Messenger!Indeed these times try us all, the pious and sinful, the young and the old. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) praised the youth who spent his youth worshipping his Lord as is narrated from Abu Huraira with an agreed upon chain of narrators:"Seven groups shall be in the shade of Allah on a Day when there will be no other shade: A just ruler, a youth who grew up in the worship of his Lord, a man whose heart was attached to the mosque, two men who for the sake of Allah's love met and separated, a man called to by a woman of beauty and position to commit adultery, a man whose right hands' giving in charity is not noticed by his left hand and a man who remembers Allah in solitude till his eyes water."None of us are immune to contemporary challenges even those of the widespread use of intoxicants and narcotic drugs whose illicit nature in the eyes of the Sacred Law is not in doubt.Ibn Hajar in his al-Zawajr 'an iqtiraf al-Khabair has discussed the impermissible nature of such drugs as hashish, opium, henbane, etc., substances which are not ritually impure (najs).He cites the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) as saying:"Every intoxicant is prohibited." [Bukhari & Muslim]And his (Allah bless him & give him peace) saying,"That which intoxicates in large quantities is prohibited in small quantities." [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and others, with a sound chain of narrators]So here there is no need to doubt the illicit nature of such modern narcotics like cocaine, heroine, etc. or such soft drugs that are available in the club scenes, places, unfortunately, visited frequently by Muslim youth in the West.What I would like to draw our attention to though is how we value ourselves. Perhaps when we as Muslims, even sinful Muslims, realize the value that Allah the Exalted has given us, perhaps it will be then that we will value our individual selves: physically and ultimately spiritually.Allah the Exalted states:"We have created man in the best of forms, then We have lowered him to the lowest of the low, except for the one who acquires sound faith and does wholesomeness." [Qur'an, 95: 4-6]Here Allah indicates our unique createdness both physically and spiritually, for the form of man is the composite of his total self, not just the physical frame.Further Allah the Exalted confers upon certain of the Children of Adam higher status with His statement: "The one whom Allah wants to guide He opens his heart to submission." [Qur'an, 6:125]Also He the Exalted states:"Is the one whose heart Allah has opened to submission so that he is upon a light form his Lord (the same as those He describes as) Woe to those whose hearts have hardened to the remembrance of Allah. They are in a manifest effort." [Qur'an, 39:22]The 'remembrance of Allah' not simply being what we commonly bring to mind as dhikr but ...but the some of the Qu'ranic revelation , its commands and prohibitions.Allah the Exalted says:"O you who believe do not follow in Satan's footsteps whoever follows Satan's footsteps should know that he only commands to evil and corruption. Had it not been of the grace of Allah to you and His mercy not one of you would have been purified but Allah purifies whom He wills, and Allah is the seeing, knowing." [Qur'an, 24:21]Here He warns us as believers to be on guard against our sworn enemy and from his deceptions which lead to evil and corruptions: physically and spiritually, individually and communally.He the Exalted wishes to purify us while Satan desires the opposite. All this is because of the great concern and care that Allah the Exalted has shown and shows to us. In this concern and care let us rejoice and seek Him, let us console and encourage one another in this divine largesse.It has been this faqir's experience while working with youth that our and their self worth is often never considered.Rarely do our elders, whether scholars, teachers or even our parents stress our true value in the sight of the Quranic revelation and the domain of the Prophetic examplar. We must address our youth compassionately, and passionately convey to them their true self value while acknowledging our own.These are some of the words I wished to share concerning this topic, may they prove beneficial and of practical use. My errors are my own, and the right is only by His grace and guidance.
Source: http://www.islamcan.com/youth/advice-to-teenagers-considering-taking-drugs.shtml
Five Steps to Kick Your Soft-Drink Addiction
Five Steps to Kick Your Soft-Drink Addiction
By Aisha El-Awady
Hi, my name is Aisha and I am addicted to soft drinks.
Who would have thought that such a thing was possible. A soft-drink addict? Well, there is such a thing, and millions of poor souls out there (myself included) are evidence. Although you may not have thought of your soft-drink habit as an addiction, try quitting and you will see it is not as easy as you might have thought.
In fact, quitting soft drinks is not easy at all, while getting hooked on them, with soft drinks being as ubiquitous as they are, is as easy as ever. Unfortunately, there is no rehab for soft-drink abusers, but there are several tips to help you stop this hazardous health habit and to help you start living a more healthy lifestyle.
One: Treat It Like an Addiction
Trying to quit consuming soft drinks is no walk in the park, especially for those who usually consume large amounts (more than three cans a day). Know that it will not be easy, and treat it as a serious addiction. You will probably experience strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as headaches.
Try to keep temptations to a minimum. This can be very difficult, as soft drinks are everywhere and advertising for them is fierce, but you can at least avoid temptation at home by keeping your refrigerator soft-drink free. When at work, avoid walking past the vending machines and keep a bottle of water at arm's reach at all times. When shopping, avoid passing through the soft drink aisle.
Two: Know the Associated Hazards
Soft drinks are associated with many health risks. In order to stop drinking them, you must familiarize yourself with these risks and convince yourself that the health problems involved are not worth the temptation to open that ice-cold bottle and gulp down its contents into your poor belly.
Soft drinks are known to promote diseases such as diabetes and kidney disorders. The high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks is converted directly into fat, and this has a direct link to obesity risk. You are essentially drinking liquid candy.
The high phosphorous content of cola drinks drains calcium from the bones and increases calcium loss in the urine putting you at risk for osteoporosis.
Three: Make a Gradual Withdrawal
Do not try to quit soft drinks cold turkey or you will end up with terrible headaches, nervousness, irritability, and other withdrawal symptoms. The caffeine found in many soft drinks is highly addictive. This is the hardest thing to overcome when you try to quit.
Try to gradually wean yourself off of the caffeinated soft drinks by reducing the number of soft drinks you consume daily. If you drink four cans of soda a day, then decrease it to two cans for a few days, then one can for a few days, and so on until you cut them out completely.
If you try to replace soft drinks with other caffeine-containing drinks such as tea or coffee, you will not be able to kick your caffeine addiction. Instead, you can replace caffeinated soft drinks with non-caffeinated ones such as 7 Up for a period of one week, which is about the time your cravings will go away and the withdrawal symptoms will stop.
After that, replace the non-caffeinated soft drinks with healthier substitutes. About two to three weeks after quitting, you will stop having those cravings altogether.
Four: Do Not Switch to Diet Drinks
Try drinking some ice-cold sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Consuming diet drinks is even worse for your health than drinking regular soft drinks. That is because diet drinks contain aspartame, which is metabolized in the body into a number of toxic chemicals. The most toxic of these is formaldehyde, the same liquid that is used to preserve body parts and anatomy specimens!
Aspartame consumption has been linked to a number of neurological disorders such as migraines, dizziness, shaking and tremors, seizures, mental confusion, change in mood, as well as Alzheimer's, and permanent blindness.
Water, herbal tea, and pure fruit juices with no added sugar are great substitutes. If you are craving that crisp taste you used to get from soda, try drinking some ice-cold sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon juice. Your best option though, might be skimmed milk, especially if you have been a long-time soft-drink user. This will help replenish your calcium supply and reverse the damage you have done to your bones.
Five: Exercise
Exercising will help you in your quest to quit soft drinks. It will ease the withdrawal symptoms and boost your endorphins, which will lift your mood.
If you are new to exercise, try going for a walk. Start out with 15-minute walks a day, then gradually increase the length and speed of your walks every week. Aerobics, yoga, hiking, jogging will all do the job. The important thing is to do something that makes you feel good, and it will give you something to focus on other than your cravings.
The best exercise for former soft-drink users, though, is weight training. The stress on your bones caused by weight training will help increase your bone density, reversing some of the damage caused by the mineral-depleting soft drinks. So get up, and get that body moving!
Sources:http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1216030527304&pagename=Zone-English-HealthScience%2FHSELayout
By Aisha El-Awady
Hi, my name is Aisha and I am addicted to soft drinks.
Who would have thought that such a thing was possible. A soft-drink addict? Well, there is such a thing, and millions of poor souls out there (myself included) are evidence. Although you may not have thought of your soft-drink habit as an addiction, try quitting and you will see it is not as easy as you might have thought.
In fact, quitting soft drinks is not easy at all, while getting hooked on them, with soft drinks being as ubiquitous as they are, is as easy as ever. Unfortunately, there is no rehab for soft-drink abusers, but there are several tips to help you stop this hazardous health habit and to help you start living a more healthy lifestyle.
One: Treat It Like an Addiction
Trying to quit consuming soft drinks is no walk in the park, especially for those who usually consume large amounts (more than three cans a day). Know that it will not be easy, and treat it as a serious addiction. You will probably experience strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as headaches.
Try to keep temptations to a minimum. This can be very difficult, as soft drinks are everywhere and advertising for them is fierce, but you can at least avoid temptation at home by keeping your refrigerator soft-drink free. When at work, avoid walking past the vending machines and keep a bottle of water at arm's reach at all times. When shopping, avoid passing through the soft drink aisle.
Two: Know the Associated Hazards
Soft drinks are associated with many health risks. In order to stop drinking them, you must familiarize yourself with these risks and convince yourself that the health problems involved are not worth the temptation to open that ice-cold bottle and gulp down its contents into your poor belly.
Soft drinks are known to promote diseases such as diabetes and kidney disorders. The high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks is converted directly into fat, and this has a direct link to obesity risk. You are essentially drinking liquid candy.
The high phosphorous content of cola drinks drains calcium from the bones and increases calcium loss in the urine putting you at risk for osteoporosis.
Three: Make a Gradual Withdrawal
Do not try to quit soft drinks cold turkey or you will end up with terrible headaches, nervousness, irritability, and other withdrawal symptoms. The caffeine found in many soft drinks is highly addictive. This is the hardest thing to overcome when you try to quit.
Try to gradually wean yourself off of the caffeinated soft drinks by reducing the number of soft drinks you consume daily. If you drink four cans of soda a day, then decrease it to two cans for a few days, then one can for a few days, and so on until you cut them out completely.
If you try to replace soft drinks with other caffeine-containing drinks such as tea or coffee, you will not be able to kick your caffeine addiction. Instead, you can replace caffeinated soft drinks with non-caffeinated ones such as 7 Up for a period of one week, which is about the time your cravings will go away and the withdrawal symptoms will stop.
After that, replace the non-caffeinated soft drinks with healthier substitutes. About two to three weeks after quitting, you will stop having those cravings altogether.
Four: Do Not Switch to Diet Drinks
Try drinking some ice-cold sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Consuming diet drinks is even worse for your health than drinking regular soft drinks. That is because diet drinks contain aspartame, which is metabolized in the body into a number of toxic chemicals. The most toxic of these is formaldehyde, the same liquid that is used to preserve body parts and anatomy specimens!
Aspartame consumption has been linked to a number of neurological disorders such as migraines, dizziness, shaking and tremors, seizures, mental confusion, change in mood, as well as Alzheimer's, and permanent blindness.
Water, herbal tea, and pure fruit juices with no added sugar are great substitutes. If you are craving that crisp taste you used to get from soda, try drinking some ice-cold sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon juice. Your best option though, might be skimmed milk, especially if you have been a long-time soft-drink user. This will help replenish your calcium supply and reverse the damage you have done to your bones.
Five: Exercise
Exercising will help you in your quest to quit soft drinks. It will ease the withdrawal symptoms and boost your endorphins, which will lift your mood.
If you are new to exercise, try going for a walk. Start out with 15-minute walks a day, then gradually increase the length and speed of your walks every week. Aerobics, yoga, hiking, jogging will all do the job. The important thing is to do something that makes you feel good, and it will give you something to focus on other than your cravings.
The best exercise for former soft-drink users, though, is weight training. The stress on your bones caused by weight training will help increase your bone density, reversing some of the damage caused by the mineral-depleting soft drinks. So get up, and get that body moving!
Sources:http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1216030527304&pagename=Zone-English-HealthScience%2FHSELayout
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)