Volume 9 2011

A Project of Drug Free Nation

www.sada.drugfreenation.org

A VOICE AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION

SADA

Riffat Sadiq PhD (Fellow) Editor-in-Chief Safia Rafiq M Phil Associate Editor

S No Contents Page

Al Quran 3

Importance of Community Mobilization in Preventing

Drug Abuse Problems 4

Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy in

Treating Drug Abuse Problems 6

From Sobriety to Success 7

When dreams shattered 8

Endless Misery 9

Golden Words 10

Contents

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Al Quran

Importance of Community Mobilization in Preventing Drug Abuse

Problems

By Haider Ali Meher

By definition, community mobilization is a process through which a

strong and effective relationship with commitment and enthusiasm is

build among stakeholders and communities in order to achieve the

same.

Usually community members take actions to stimulate, plan and

evaluate the whole of process so that common living standards of the

people can be enhanced. Like other issues such as education; drug

abuse problems is a social issue which can be solved by taking stern

action and complete involvement of communities. Because, drug

addiction is not only the problem of individual but family and whole

society has been affected badly. It has appeared as a global problem.

Therefore, without mobilizing the whole community , we can't

make our society drug free. In order to mobilize the community to

stand against the drug abuse, following community members can play a

vital role;

o Teachers

o Religious leaders

o NGOs

o Government official

o Community leaders

o Health Facility ( service providers, support staff, outreach workers)

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Article Article

All these community members can be approached via different channels

such as;

o NGOs

o Local government

o Local leaders - traditional and formal

o Community Resource persons

o Special clubs or interest groups

o Media o Industrial and trade association

Through this, community members will take responsibility and

ownership to eradicate the drug addiction from the society. A strong

community support will be available. Appropriate drug abuse

prevention strategies will be generated that will further help in

implementing policy pertaining to drug abuse prevention in future.

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Article

Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy in Treating Drug Abuse Problems

By Riffat Sadiq

Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is being widely used in treating people suffering from drug abuse problems because it works with both cognitive and behavior patterns of the patients. It focuses on negative schemas, beliefs which lead to maladaptive behavior such as addictive behavior.

Therapist, via conducting cognitive -behavior therapy, tries to focus on deficit coping skills of drug abusers. Drug abusers think of them unable to cope with the problematic situation and when they saw others to take drugs to get rid of the problem, they prefer to take drugs instead of facing problems. Cognitive-behavior therapist works on their sense of self-efficacy identifies strengths in order to enhance adaptive skills.

It also makes aware of antecedents and consequences of drug abuse problems. Patient learns to identify those psychological, social and physiological factors which lead to drug addiction and understands the consequences in case of indulging in drug addiction. He or she also learns to identify high risk factors and situation that may bring him/her close to drugs. Cognitive-behavior therapy is effective in relapse prevent ion. Its helps to

identify high risk factors of relapse, decrease sense of helplessness in front of problematic situation and enhance self-control in recovering addicts. They identify their negative thoughts, beliefs and work on their coping skills.

Techniques included in cognitive-behavior therapy deal with craving, relapse and other problems. It can be used during rehabilitation and aftercare services. It appeared to be an effective tool to treat variety of drug abuse

problems

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Article

From Sobriety to Success

I belonged to a drug abusing family. My three brothers were

drug addicts. My home was just like a hell. I had to go school

without having breakfast and with dirty uniform. For that

reason, I had been punished much times but I continued my

studies and successfully got the bachelor degree.

Due to my family environment, I used to stay outside late

night. Even I did not like to take my meal at home I take

my three meal from outside my home . Due to overburden, I

got tired and started taking cigarette and then I tilted toward cannabis but no one knew that. At the age of 30 I got

married and soon became the father of baby girl.

Her birth brought changes in my life. I used to take her

outside on my bike. One day I noticed that she was smelling petrol from my motorcycle that made me alert. I

discuses this matters with my office friend. He suggested me

to quit drugs as soon as possible in order to save my

daughter. I agreed and did the same. Now I am living a

happy life and have said goodbye to all kinds of drugs

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Real Story

When dreams shattered

Addiction has snatched every thing from me. I belonged to a

respectable family. My friends encouraged me to use

cigarette. I did so at the age of 18, I became addict, using

cannabis and alcohol. I could not study, destroyed my career and became dependent on other for whole life.

My parents have passed away. They used to take care of me,

wanted me to get rid of addiction. After them, no body cares

me. My siblings are busy in their life and they do not like to

have any relation with me.

I do not want to live any more. Every thing has been finished

for me. Now, at the age of 35, I am lonely. People hate me and

called me sharabi. My family did not trust me. My life is

like a slum dog.

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Real Story

Endless Misery

I am the only sister of three brothers was very dearest to

all of my family. At the age of 23 I got married. After

two years of my marriage, my husband became

addicted to drugs. He initially took cannabis, alcohol

and then became habituated to heroin. I got him

admitted to treatment centers for many times but he

could not be recovered.

I have 11 years old daughter. I am doing a job to run

my home. My brothers too help me but my husband

snatches money, beats me uses abusive language. He

has sold my utensils and home appliance for drugs.

His misbehavior made me psychologically ill. I am just

living for my daughter.

I know he will never quit drugs and will remain same

till the last moment. My marital life is just a misery

for me

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Real Story

Golden Words

Hazardous of Alcohol

o Imâm and alcohol cannot gather (are not compatible) with a person (Nasai) Hazrat Muhammad (p.b.u.h)

o Dr M Robertson states, "If half the pubs and bottle stores were

closed, I guarantee that half the hospitals and jails will remain closed." Dr. M. Roberton

o Wine hath drowned more men than the sea Thomas Fuller

o Refrain from drink which is the source of all evil--and the ruin of

half the workmen in this Country. George Washington

o Alcoholism is a disease of the whole person. Maurice Gelinas

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Golden Word