Concept

Any substance (usually chemical) which influences our bodies or emotions when consumed may be called a drug, i.e. it is a chemical substance, that, when put into your body can change the way the body works and the mind thinks. These substances may be medicinal i.e. prescribed by a doctor for reducing minor ailments or problems, e.g. lack of sleep, headache, tension, etc. but are also used without medical advice, used for an excessively long period of time and used for reason other than medical ones. The use of such drugs is usually legal. Some drugs may be non-medicinal in nature. Their use is illegal e.g. heroin. Another group of drugs are those that are legal, but are harmful for the person if consumed in excess, regularly, e.g. alcohol. There are other substances like cigarettes, coffee, tea etc. which can be termed as socially accepted legal drugs. But these are not seen as harmful. Some drugs like alcohol, brown sugar, etc. are dangerous and addictive. According to Julian (1977) drug is any chemical substance which affects bodily function, mood, perception or consciousness which has potential for misuse and which may be harmful to the individual or the society.

Drug Use and Abuse

Using drugs to cure or prevent an illness or improve one's health may be called drug ‘use'. Using drugs (medicinal/non-medicinal) in quantity, strength, frequency or manner that damages the physical or mental functioning of an individual, is termed as drug abuse. This means that even taking medicines in excess or too often or too long or for the wrong reasons or in the wrong combination implies drug ‘abuse. According to Paul Fuqua (1978) drug abuse is the use of substance in such a way that it leads to such personal and/ or social consequences as impaired physical or mental health, impaired malnutrition, loss of productivity, and involvement in socially disruptive or illegal activities.

According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) drugs can be broadly categorized under following types: