Drug addiction

Letter August 04, 2019
Rise in mental illness has caused teens to be hooked on to drugs

KARKI: Drug addiction has reached epidemic proportions. It is not only painful for the addicted individuals but also horrifying for their families.

The problem has become so widespread that it has started affecting nations significantly. Illnesses like depression and anxiety are prevalent in today’s world. In order to find an escape, people resort to drug usage.

The rise in mental illness has caused teens to be hooked on to drugs. The futures of nations are in jeopardy because majority of the youth indulge in this harmful ill.

The result is isolation — complete alienation from society, events and feelings. These drugs provide an escape from the unbearable reality that they are a part of. Drug overdose is the major cause of death and it often leads to hallucinations and suicide. The brain is completely fried causing neural breakdowns.

The ones that do survive either end up committing heinous crimes, joining gangs and criminal organisations or are left homeless. The problem is so severe that it has become a norm in many countries. The perception created around it is that if one uses drugs then he or she is considered ‘cool’. This image is deliberately created so that drug lords can continue to earn millions from selling drugs.

I urge governments all over the world that if they really care about their children and the future of the world then they must do everything in their power to stop this from spreading even more.

Banila Ellahi

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2019.

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