International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers dependence on licit or illicit drugs to be a disease. The abuse of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, crack, and cocaine is an international public health problem that worries nations around the world, as it affects cultural, social, economic, and political values.

The General Assembly of the United Nations decided to proclaim June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, through resolution 42/112 of December 7, 1987, as an expression of its determination to strengthen the action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international drug-free society, recognizing that, despite continuous and increasing efforts by the international community, this problem continues to constitute a serious threat to public health, security and well-being of humanity, particularly the young².

 It is estimated that around 5.7% of Brazilians are drug addicts, an index that represents more than 8 million people, according to the National Survey of Families of Chemical Dependents (Lenad Família), carried out by the Federal University of São Paulo ( Unifesp) ³. Among the most consumed illicit drugs in the country are marijuana, with a consumption rate of 2.5% among the adult population and 3.5% among adolescents, and cocaine, with a consumption prevalence of 1. 75%, which exceeds that of the United States and reaches more than four times the world average (0.4%), according to the UNODC report ³.

Types.

• Marijuana - Chronic use is associated with respiratory problems, since the smoke is irritating and its tar content is very high, in addition to containing benzopyrene, a carcinogenic substance. The consequences of marijuana use are similar to those of tobacco: hypertension, asthma, bronchitis, cancers, heart disease, and chronic air obstructive diseases. In the case of people with (pre-existing) psychotic disorders, a worsening of the condition may occur, such as schizophrenia. Its regular use leads to cognitive problems such as compromised intellectual performance, loss of memory, and problem-solving ability. Withdrawal is characterized by anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, hand tremors, sweating, increased reflexes, yawning, and depressed mood.
  
  
• Cocaine - It is a psychostimulant substance, consumed in different ways: snorted, intravenously, or smoked (crack). Cocaine consumption in most users increases progressively since it is necessary to consume more amounts to achieve the desired effect. In Brazil, for example, cocaine is the substance most used by injecting drug users. Many of these people share needles and syringes and expose themselves to the spread of various diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.
  
  
• Crack - It is the result of a mixture of cocaine, baking soda, ammonia, and distilled water, which results in grains that are smoked in pipes. The consumption of crack is greater than that of cocaine, because it is cheaper and its effects last less. On the other hand, it has a terrible action on the central nervous and cardiac systems.
  
  
• Amphetamines - They are synthetic drugs with a stimulating effect on the central nervous system and can only be marketed under medical prescription. One type of illicit amphetamine not found in pharmacies is ecstasy. Its improper and prolonged use can cause psychological disturbances, brain injuries, and an increased risk of seizures, in addition to overdose.
  
  
• Painkillers and sedatives - Medications capable of decreasing brain activity are called sedatives, while those capable of reducing pain are known as analgesics. Hypnotics or sleeping pills are sedatives capable of preventing insomnia, while anxiolytics have the power to act in exaggerated states of anxiety.
  
  
• Alcoholism - is a chronic disease, with behavioral and socioeconomic aspects, characterized by the compulsive consumption of alcohol, in which the user becomes progressively tolerant to the intoxication produced by the drug and develops signs and symptoms of withdrawal when it is withdrawn. In addition to the already recognized genetic predisposition for dependence, other factors may be associated: with anxiety, anguish, insecurity, easy access to alcohol, and cultural conditions. 

Prevention

Chemical dependency is a serious problem that can affect anyone. Therefore, always being well informed is the best way to prevent the disease from taking hold and damaging life. Many people don't understand why other people become addicted to drugs. It is mistakenly believed that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using these substances at any time. Drug addiction is considered a complex and chronic disease that requires treatment.

Drugs change the brain in a way that makes it very difficult to eliminate these substances, even for those who want them ³. The brain changes that occur challenge the addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to use drugs ³. Brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a chronic disease that leads to relapses, since those in recovery are at greater risk of using drugs again, even after years without using anything ³.

The most successful drug use prevention approaches include the essential role of the family, school, and the broader community in strengthening protective factors that ensure a healthy, risk-free childhood and adolescence that offers viable and legitimate livelihoods for adults ⁴. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to addressing the challenges of problematic drug use ⁴. Each community represents a unique set of problems and circumstances. Therefore, the best approaches are those measures adapted to the circumstances and designed with the participation of all interested sectors of society, from families and schools to local health service providers and law enforcement officials.