Drug Abuse an International Problem: A Short Review with Special Reference to African Continent

Drug abuse is rapidly growing worldwide problem. The problem of drug abuse poses a significant threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nations. Almost every country in the world is affected from drug abuse. The problem of drug abuse has now crossed national, ethnic, religious and gender lines also. Today the problems of Global increase of drug abuse reflect and contribute to both the national as well as international tensions. The high level of drug abuse has brought problems such as increase in violence and crime, increase in HIV/AIDS diseases, and collapse in the social structure. The Republic of Mauritius in spite of its size and geographical location has not been spared from the evil consequences of this scourge. Cannabis is the only illicit substance primarily cultivated in the sugar cane fields. Despite of this the maximally abused substance in this country is Heroin. This review article presents the demographical variations of drug abuse, with more emphasis on African continent. We shall also present the hazards of drug abuse and its prevention strategies.