Author: Ismail Sarani
Addiction and Drugs (Part 6)
Negative Consequences of Drugs on Individuals and Society
With the increasing spread of drug addiction and its trafficking, there are numerous negative impacts and consequences affecting both society and the individual.
Religious and Belief-Based Harms
It is a well-established fact that a sound mind resides in a healthy body. If the body is polluted by the consumption of hallucinogenic and narcotic substances, how can it make sound decisions? There is little strength left for rational thinking. Without a healthy mind, time and money are often spent in ways that bring no benefit to the individual.
For an addict, none of this matters. As a result, they easily disregard their religious beliefs and values simply to obtain drugs for another day. We see addicts lying, stealing, selling their beloved children, and even, in many cases, forcing their wives into prostitution to finance their drug habits. This behavior represents a trampling of their religious beliefs and values.
While Islam values human beings and encourages righteousness, honesty, justice, and peaceful living for all, an addict discards all of these principles. Nothing matters to a person addicted to drugs except obtaining their next fix. This indifference extends to their faith. When under the influence of these destructive substances, their minds become clouded, leading them to forget their prayers, rendering them incapable of fasting, and causing them to completely disregard Hajj, Zakat, and Jihad. Thus, the spread of drugs leads to the creation of a society that is indifferent to religion and faith.
Psychological and Mental Harms
Drugs have severe and irreparable impacts on the mind and spirit of addicts, turning them into confused, depressed, sad, isolated, and weak individuals. Addicts lack mental balance, exhibit carelessness, disregard societal rules and regulations, and show a lack of willpower. They become indifferent to their personal and social responsibilities. Addicted individuals are emotionally immature, rebellious, restless, and often harbor hostile feelings.
Additionally, drugs cause anxiety and lead to errors in decision-making and judgments regarding time and place. These substances weaken thought processes and memory, resulting in frequent forgetfulness.
