Consequences of Drug Abuse

The consequences of drug abuse on the individual, family and societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More at large are usually always negative in nature. These consequences include;

On the Individual:

1. Drug abuse can affect the brain which may result in mental disorders and illness.

2. It can cause the deformity of an unborn baby if a pregnant woman abuses drugs.

3. It can bring about untimely death.

4. Abuse of drugs can bring about addiction to such drugs.

5. Diseases and infections can be an effect of drug abuse. In some cases, drug addicts abuse drugs together and share needles they use to inject the drugs. This can lead to the spread of dangerous infections like HIV, etc.

6. The body organs can be damaged. The human lungs are affected by excessive smoking, the Liver is also affected by excessive consumption of alcohol.

7. Loss of Job and Property. When an individual abuses drugs, it will negatively affect their performance at their place of work. In most cases, such individuals end up losing their jobs. In some cases people end up selling their properties such as houses, cars, jewellery, etc, just to support their drug habit.

8. It can lead to an individual dropping out of school.

9. Loss of Self Worth and Respect. For individuals who abuse drugs, drugs become the most important aspect of their lives, they lose their dignity and self-worth and end up doing things they won’t have done ordinarily, like stealing from loved ones, prostitution, killing, etc just to fund their habit.

On the Family:

1. It brings disgrace and shame to the family.

2. It can make a family bankrupt.

3. There might be untimely death in the family.

4. There is a likelihood of having dropouts in such a family.

5. It gives a bad image to the family, people start avoiding the family.

6. The family may be stigmatized.

On the Nation/Society at Large:

1. It brings about a reduction in the workforce.

2. A nation with a high rate of drug abuse victims will lack development and progress.

3. It portrays a bad image of a nation to the international community.

4. It brings about an increase in the crime rate of a nation or society.

5. A nation with a high rate of drug abuse will have many cases of health-related problems and mental illnesses.

6. The suicide rate and death rate as a result of drug abuse will be high.